Chapter 498

Chapter 504: Dilemma (Part 2)

Eleven Lady naturally didn’t believe this was the truth.

She embraced Lord Xu with a laugh.

After a moment, she struggled to sit up. “Allow me to assist you in dressing, my lord.”

Lord Xu didn’t move. Instead, he pressed her gently beneath him, his gaze clear and bright as he looked at her. He raised his voice to ask the person outside the bed curtains, “Who came from the palace?”

“They claim to be from the Qianqing Palace,” Zhuxiang replied respectfully. “They’ve come with an imperial decree from His Majesty to see you, my lord.”

“Understood.” He focused entirely on her, gently stroking her forehead. “Tell Manager Zhao to accompany them to the side hall’s heated chamber for tea.”

Zhuxiang assented and withdrew.

Lord Xu kissed her temple, showing no intention of getting up.

Eleven Lady hesitated. “My lord, do you know why His Majesty is summoning you?”

Lord Xu’s hand lingered over her slender yet delicate curves. “Since it’s not an urgent matter concerning Her Majesty the Empress, and I’m merely a marquis without official duties, it’s best to stay out of affairs of state.” As he spoke, he captured the rosy bud of her breast, savoring it slowly.

Eleven Lady drew a sharp breath.

She didn’t have his composure—knowing someone was waiting outside and still being able to…

“My lord!” She pushed him. “You should go and see.” No sooner had she spoken than Zhuxiang’s voice came from outside. “My lord, Manager Zhao requests an audience.”

Eleven Lady stiffened completely.

Lord Xu sighed softly, knowing today’s affair was not to be.

A shame, he thought inwardly. It was rare for Eleven Lady to be in such a mood… truly spoiled by the interruption.

He turned and propped himself up against the headboard, raising his voice. “What is it?”

“My lord,” Manager Zhao’s voice, though filtered through the door curtain, carried clearly into the bedchamber. He spoke concisely, “Before the eunuch came to deliver the decree, Minister Chen and Lord Wang were both in the Qianqing Palace. After they left, His Majesty immediately sent the eunuch with a verbal decree. Earlier, an express courier from Fujian arrived at the Inner Court Secretariat. The exact contents are still unknown, but news should arrive by the hour of Yin.”

“Any movements from the Qu family?”

“The Qu family’s Fourth Young Master and Sixth Master remain locked in rivalry. The legitimate-born Seventh Master and the illegitimate-born Fifth Master and Eighth Master stand with the Fourth Young Master, while Second Master, Third Young Master—father of the Imperial Noble Consort Qu—and Ninth Master side with Sixth Master.”

Lord Xu showed a satisfied expression and replied, “Understood.”

Manager Zhao retreated.

“My lord, you should still go and see,” Eleven Lady urged, sitting up with the quilt drawn about her. “These days, the court is in unrest. Perhaps His Majesty truly has urgent business with you.”

Though the eunuch’s journey from the palace involved many formalities and would cause delays, and His Majesty likely wouldn’t censure him for tardiness, there was still the matter of the eunuch delivering the decree. If loose talk spread, Lord Xu might be accused of presumption and irreverence toward the imperial command.

Why risk a big loss for a small gain?

Without waiting for Lord Xu to speak, Lady Eleven slipped on a robe and got out of bed, calling to Zhuxiang, "Have the maids bring water to assist His Lordship with his attire."

Zhuxiang responded lively, her voice tinged with cheerfulness.

She, too, feared Lord Xu might dally in the bedchamber, bringing Lady Eleven a reputation for impropriety.

Seeing Lady Eleven's solemn expression, Lord Xu couldn't help but laugh and tweak her nose. "It seems even becoming a villainous minister isn't easy for me."

Lady Eleven pursed her lips in a smile. "Because flatterers prosper in their time."

Lord Xu laughed heartily, smoothing a loose strand of hair by her cheek, recalling how it had fallen sensuously across his chest earlier. Stirred, he cupped her face and kissed her cheek, whispering, "Wait for me to return."

Lady Eleven's face flushed scarlet instantly.

The night-watch matrons, seeing it was Lady Wen knocking, immediately put on a smile. "What is your business, madam?" They curiously glanced at Yang Shi trailing behind Lady Wen.

"Is the mistress resting?" Lady Wen asked without much expectation.

Mountains may not move, but waters will. Though Yang Shi was in reduced circumstances today, who knew if she might rise to prominence someday? This visit was at least a gesture of goodwill toward her.

"You've come at just the right time, my lady," the night-watch matrons said, their smiles taking on an oily flattery. "Someone from the palace came to summon His Lordship. The mistress just saw him off and is most likely still awake."

Lady Wen and Yang Shi both paled, exchanging a meaningful glance.

Entering the palace in the middle of the night, who knows if it's for good or ill?

Wen Yiniang hurriedly said, "Please help us convey our request to Lady." Then she slipped a few pieces of silver to the old woman.

The old woman, pondering that Wen Yiniang was the most respected concubine before Young Lady, quietly tucked the silver into her sleeve and smiled, "Please wait a moment, Madam, I'll inform Zhuxiang Sister right away."

"Thank you, Madam," Wen Yiniang politely replied, and with Yang Shi, entered the passageway, finding a sheltered spot to stand.

"Wen Sister, do you think what could have happened for His Majesty to summon Lord Xu to the palace?" Yang Shi's expression was uncertain.

She had been worried that Xu Lingyi might be resting in Young Lady’s chambers, which would complicate matters. But unexpectedly, Xu Lingyi was summoned to the palace... Could this be fate? Only, she didn’t know if Xu Lingyi had told Young Lady about her visit to Half-Moon Pond… However, even if he did, it wouldn’t matter much. Given Xu Lingyi’s nature, he certainly wouldn’t go into every detail… The fear was not being able to see him at all, without even a chance…

Wen Yiniang thought she was worried about Xu Lingyi and paid no attention, sighing, "I don’t know either," her expression somewhat lost.

Since Young Lady had clarified some matters with her, the deeply rooted beliefs in her heart had undergone a tremendous change. She suddenly felt confused about herself and was even more hesitant to comment on these issues. All she wished was that nothing would happen to Xu Lingyi; otherwise, how would this large family survive…

On the other side, Zhuxiang received the old woman’s report: "Wen Yiniang has brought Yang Yiniang to see Lady?"

The old woman nodded with a flattering smile, thinking of the silver, "Miss, I told them Lady is resting, but Wen Yiniang insisted that I must inform you no matter what."

Zhuxiang instructed the little maid beside her, "I’ll go take a look. If Lady asks, tell her I’ll return immediately," then she went to the passageway with the old woman.

Lady Wen smiled as she approached Zhuxiang: "Lady Yang has an urgent matter to see the mistress. I came along with her..."

She’s probably terrified of being sent to the temple by Lord Xu, so she came overnight to beg the mistress, hoping to change his mind before the news spreads. And such a matter—she surely wouldn’t dare to speak of it openly in front of everyone.

Zhuxiang smiled gently at Lady Yang and said, "The mistress has just retired. Perhaps I could relay a message for you, Lady Yang?" politely turning her away.

Lady Yang seethed at Zhuxiang’s interference, yet she had no choice but to press on.

Her eyes slightly damp, her voice catching: "Something has happened in my family... I beg the mistress to intercede with Lord Xu..."

Now that Lord Xu plans to banish her to the temple, she remembers the mistress. Where was this concern before?

Zhuxiang gave a faint smile. "It’s only a couple hours till dawn. Besides, Lord Xu isn’t home—even if orders were to be given to the stewards, they’d have to wait until morning. Perhaps, Lady Yang, you should return later?"

Lady Wen’s position was partly due to Eleven Miss’s favor, but her knack for reading the room was equally crucial. Hearing this, her gaze shifted slightly as she chimed in to support Zhuxiang’s suggestion: "What Zhuxiang says makes sense. It’s almost dawn, the mistress has just rested, and Lord Xu isn’t home..."

Before Lady Wen could finish, a panting maid hurried over: "Sister Zhuxiang, the mistress says to have Lady Wen and Lady Yang come see her at once."

Zhuxiang froze.

Lady Yang clearly came with ill intentions—why would the mistress agree to see her?

Worried but hiding it, she could only smile and gesture to the two concubines: "Please follow me."

Lady Wen figured she’d done enough—it was best not to involve herself further. But since the mistress had summoned her too, backing out now would be rude. She hurried after them.

Lady Yang, however, her heart leapt with hope.

As long as Eleven Miss was willing to see her...

The main hall blazed with light. Eleven Miss reclined against an ink-patterned bolster by the window, looking thoroughly relaxed.

She took a sip of tea: "What brings you here, Lady Yang?"

Breaking with custom, she offered no tea, refreshments, or stools for them to sit.

Lady Wen stole a careful glance at Eleven Miss.

Her complexion glowed pink and pale, her gaze calm and gentle, her demeanor serene—she looked radiant.

Lady Wen relaxed a fraction.

Lady Yang had already knelt before Eleven Miss.

"Mistress," she whispered, face burning, "I’ve sinned and repent bitterly. I beg you, in your mercy, to spare my life." She kowtowed, tears splashing the floor, her forehead thudding against the ground.

Now this was a novel approach.

If her family was in trouble and she felt Eleven Miss couldn’t help, seeking Lord Xu privately might be understandable—but never excusable. Especially since going behind Eleven Miss’s back solved nothing...

The family troubles remained unresolved; instead, she ended up in the temple. If Lord Xu had wanted to cut ties with the Yang family because of their downfall, he could have sent Yang Shi to the temple long ago. Why wait until now? Whatever happened, even if Lord Xu didn’t say it, she could imagine...

Had Lord Xu been less resolute, less experienced, or younger, who knows how it would've ended? Yet after Lord Xu made the decision to send her to the temple, knowing that he had already confronted her, she still went to great lengths to try to see him—humbly, kneeling and admitting her mistakes the moment she entered...

Regardless of one’s stance, that took real guts.

Eleven Miss looked at the half-drawn bed curtains.

Lord Xu's embrace still seemed to warm her, refusing to fade.

Suddenly, she found herself curious about what Yang Shi would say.

She straightened slightly, the casual indifference in her expression fading.

"What wrong has Lady Yang done?" she asked with a polite smile, "to plead for forgiveness so tearfully?"

Yang Shi was taken aback.

Though Eleven Miss’s tone remained as gentle as ever, her words were surprisingly direct.

The others in the room looked at each other nervously.

The lady had never been so blunt before.