Chapter 365: The Premise of Emperor Wei (Part 1)

Chapter 365: The Premise of Emperor Wei (Part 1)

The first snow of Zhu Xian kingdom enveloped the land and sky, and by nightfall, it showed no signs of stopping.

The lights shone brightly.

In the Plum Snow Garden, candles flickered to life.

The shimmering candlelight spilled through the wide-open window, casting a faint golden glow on the falling snow outside.

By the window, the woman in red once again pushed it open, letting in the cold wind.

The cold wind whistled, blowing a few strands of hair across her face, which she casually tucked behind her ear. Her expression was serene.

Just as in the carriage, yet subtly different.

This was the first feeling that arose in Xianyi Chishaou's heart as he entered the Plum Snow Garden.

Because what he saw now was that the woman in red seemed to lack something in her brows, while her presence seemed to have gained something else.

Xianyi Chishaou couldn't articulate it, but that was his feeling.

He sensed a flicker of warmth in Su Rao's long-frozen heart.

Xianyi Chishaou's gaze was not concealed, and Su Rao naturally sensed it. She turned her eyes toward the arched gate of the Plum Snow Garden and saw that he was still wearing the same clothes he had on when he returned to the capital, meaning he had just come back from the Zhu Xian palace.

"Su Rao, something has happened. I'm afraid things won't go as you wish for a while."

Xianyi Chishaou's momentary daze had settled by the time Su Rao looked over. He walked forward and directly informed her about Empress Rong's situation.

He continued:

"Now that Rong Yuer has been sent to the cold palace, I can no longer justify issuing a declaration of war to Yun Lang on her account. My elder brother abhors war and forbids me from provoking conflict that would bring turmoil to the people of Zhu Xian. He said he wants to meet you first..."

Empress Rong had been deposed...

Emperor Wei wanted to see her...

Her peach blossom eyes glimmered faintly, but Su Rao's face showed no other reaction. She closed the window and asked Yi Su to open the door and invite Prince Yi inside.

...

As Xianyi Chishaou and Su Rao conversed, over at the Orchid Pavilion, Shulan rushed in again, her previously settled heart now anxious once more due to Zhao Lianxin's words.

"Miss, the prince went straight to the Plum Snow Garden as soon as he returned from the palace. In the past, he would always go directly to his study..."

The embroidery, long finished, was a black handkerchief.

It was embroidered with a gentleman's orchid, and the corner was stitched with silver thread to form the character "Shao," clearly intended as a gift for Xianyi Chishaou.

Hearing Shulan's words, the handkerchief slipped from her hand, one corner landing on the stove and instantly catching fire. Yet Zhao Lianxin simply looked up at Shulan.

Only when Shulan hurriedly moved the handkerchief away did she speak.

"Miss, this..."

The corner of the handkerchief was ruined, and the embroidered character "Shao" was completely gone. Zhao Lianxin stared at it for a moment before tossing the handkerchief into the stove.

"It seems the prince has taken quite a liking to that girl."

There was not a trace of jealousy on her face; all her intentions were concealed. Perhaps because she did not love, she felt no jealousy. What she desired was merely the nobility that the title of Prince Yi could bring her.

"Since the prince has gone to the Plum Snow Garden, let's not disturb him. If the prince truly wishes to bring another lady into the household, we should meet her tomorrow."

If Zhao Lianxin knew that the sister she spoke of was Su Rao, she would not be so calm. But at this moment, she did not know and could not know, and her mention of Xianyi Chishaou staying overnight was naturally impossible.

After Xianyi Chishaou concluded his conversation with Su Rao, he left the Plum Snow Garden.

"Miss, why do you think Emperor Wei of Zhu Xian specifically wants to see you?"

This was what Yi Su asked Su Rao after Xianyi Chishaou left, and it was also what Moying asked Xianyi Chishaou after he left.

"Brother, perhaps he wants to personally confirm that Su Rao and Rong Yuer are indeed different people."

Xianyi Chishaou spoke, and his thoughts on why Emperor Wei of Zhu Xian wanted to see Su Rao and why he said he would discuss cooperation only after meeting her were simply this reason.

On Su Rao's side, she only gave Yi Su four words.

"The heart of an emperor is inscrutable."

Perhaps, compared to Xianyi Chishaou, the younger brother of Emperor Wei of Zhu Xian, Su Rao, an outsider, actually saw through Emperor Wei more clearly.

Not to mention Yun Ji's evaluation of Emperor Wei:

"Seemingly gentle and weak, but beneath that gentleness may lie a storm."

Just from a few months ago when Emperor Wei went to Qingfeng Pavilion to talk with Yun Ji, his deep affection for Empress Rong was undeniable, yet he still sent her to the cold palace. How could his heart truly be gentle?

He claimed he did not want Empress Rong to repeat her mistakes, but it was his initial indulgence and continued enabling that shaped her into who she became.

What kind of person Emperor Wei truly is, and why he wants to see Su Rao, will all be clear tomorrow.

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

The snow that had been falling for a whole day and night stopped as a ray of morning sun rose from the east.

Zhao Lianxin, who was waiting to see the mysterious woman brought by Prince Yi today, naturally did not wait again.

The black sandalwood carriage drove to the palace of Zhu Xian.

The snow on the streets had been trampled by the morning's carriages and pedestrians. As it was early morning, the snow had not melted, and the tracks left by the carriage wheels were clearly visible, the snow flattened.

Su Rao came to the palace of Zhu Xian for the second time and saw Emperor Wei of Zhu Xian for the second time.

Compared to what she saw at Emperor Wei's birthday banquet, although Emperor Wei's body was still frail, it seemed slightly better than before.

Although there was still a faint bluish tint under his eyes, his eyes seemed to have changed somewhat, as they now carried the thoughts of an emperor.

"Last time we met, the princess was still the daughter of the Su family, the Honorable Princess Ronghua conferred by Emperor Yun Lang of Yun Lang. I did not expect to see you again as Qin Rao of Great Qin."

With a gentle smile, his eyes betrayed the mind of an emperor, yet his demeanor remained approachable and mild.

"No doubt, the princess is curious. Why did I have Shao bring you to see me? Given the princess's renowned cleverness since childhood, I shall be direct."

Emperor Wei spoke while looking at Su Rao, and Su Rao also looked at Emperor Wei. Hearing his words, she understood why he said she had been clever since childhood, as Emperor Wei had been a hostage in Great Qin, had heard of her, and had seen her as a child.

Her heart raced with hidden thoughts, yet her expression remained unreadable.

"Qin Rao is indeed curious. Since Emperor Wei is so straightforward, please resolve Qin Rao's confusion."

He was speaking of Qin Rao, not Su Rao. Her identity as the princess of the former dynasty had already been completely exposed, so there was no longer any need to conceal it. Emperor Wei addressed her as "princess" rather than "Honorable Princess Ronghua," suggesting his intentions were to speak with the princess of the former dynasty, not with Su Rao, the daughter of the Su family.

"Ahem—"

A cough—not from Su Rao's lingering cold, but from Emperor Wei. He took a sip of tea, and his gaze fell on Su Rao's peach blossom eyes, lingering as if lost in distant memories.

It seemed he was recalling something from long ago.

"Princess, you greatly resemble your mother, especially in those eyes. When I was a hostage in Great Qin, I was merely a frail scholar, often bullied by the royal relatives of Great Qin. Once, your mother encountered me in the Qin palace. Though she only said, 'Do not cause trouble in the palace,' to me, it was an act of kindness."

Seeing a flicker of change on Su Rao's face, it was clear she had no idea her mother had once aided Emperor Wei.

Emperor Wei chuckled softly, the distant memory fading as he revealed his purpose for meeting Su Rao.

"The cooperation you discussed with Shao, I can agree, but I have one condition..."