bayedsolid Chapter 941 The Empress is actually faking her death!
Chapter 941 The Empress is actually faking her death!
Bai Lu's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers holding the teacup tightened slightly. "Your Majesty... have you really decided?"
"Decided."
The empress's voice was unwavering: "This immense wealth and supreme power have never been what I desired."
"I just want to be that free-spirited heroine in the opera... living a life of chivalry and adventure, escaping the desolate desert..."
"That's the kind of life I should be living."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the square patch of sky outside the palace walls. "I have waited too long."
"I have my own arrangements regarding the Emperor, and it won't involve you."
"What I want you to do is what we agreed on before—help me die."
Bai Lu was silent for a moment, then raised her head to meet the Empress's gaze: "When would Your Majesty like to choose?"
"Choose after your third brother Bai Qingze's wedding banquet."
The Empress's decision was decisive and swift: "The wedding banquet is a joyous occasion, and all the officials' attention is on it."
"The best time will be after the wedding banquet, when everyone is relaxed."
"I will use the excuse of overwork to claim that I have suddenly died of a heart attack."
"My affairs after death are up to you to arrange, to do it flawlessly, so that I can completely disappear from this world..."
"Bai Lu, as you command."
The Empress smiled with relief. She walked over, helped Bai Lu up, and her eyes were full of trust and gratitude.
“Good niece, I knew it. Only you understand me in this world, and only you dare to help me.”
"After this is done, I will owe you a huge favor."
"The world is a long and winding road; if needed, I will come from a thousand miles away."
Bai Lu gently shook her head, "Your Majesty is too kind."
"If it can help you break free from your shackles and be reborn... that's good too."
Silence fell upon the hall once more.
The winter sunlight streamed in through the carved windowpane, casting dappled shadows.
Bai Lu and the Empress discussed a few key details in hushed tones for a while. When they realized it was almost time, Bai Lu got up to take her leave.
She walked out of the main hall, where Aunt Li was playing cat's cradle with the children in the corridor. When she saw her come out, she quickly came to greet her.
"Mother!"
June, with her sharp eyes, was the first to rush over, holding up a piece of osmanthus cake she hadn't finished eating yet, like a precious treasure. "Your Majesty's pastries are so delicious!"
Bai Lu smiled and patted her head. Just as she was about to speak, a clear and gentle voice came from behind her, carrying a hint of uncertain surprise: "...Is it Lady Bai Lu?"
Bai Lu's heart skipped a beat; the voice was all too familiar.
She turned around and, sure enough, saw three distinguished young men walking side by side.
The leader was dressed in a four-clawed python robe and wore a golden crown. He had a handsome face and gentle eyes. Who else could he be but the Crown Prince?
Beside him stood a slightly robust man with handsome features, who was none other than the Second Prince, Prince Pingkang; and another man with fair skin and a perpetually smiling face, who was none other than the Third Prince, Prince Qunan.
"Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Prince of Pingkang, and Your Highness the Prince of Qunan."
Just as Bai Lu was about to curtsy, the Crown Prince, who had strode forward, grabbed her and helped her up.
"Bai Lu, between you and me, there is no need for such empty formalities!"
The Crown Prince's face was filled with genuine joy. He looked Bai Lu up and down and said with emotion, "Since you went to Qingzhou, we brothers have not seen you for a long time. This time you are back, we must stay for a while longer."
"Yes, Lady White Dew!"
The most cheerful and outgoing Prince Qu Nan strode up to the children. He was already tall, and now he bent down, looking curiously at the seven little children lined up in a row, staring at him with their big, dark eyes. He asked with great amusement, "Wow! These must be our seven little nieces?"
"The last time I saw you, you were such a little one. How come you've grown so tall this time?"
"Quick, call me 'Uncle' and let me hear it!"
Prince Pingkang followed slowly, a smile on his face. "Lady Bai is still as charming as ever, but it must have been tiring to bring seven of them with you."
"Look at them, each one so delicate and beautiful, they outshine all the so-called noble ladies in Kyoto."
Bai Lu looked at her three younger brothers with a mixture of helplessness and amusement, and said reproachfully, "You three, you scared my daughters as soon as you arrived. Hurry up and greet your three uncles."
With their mother's permission, the children then bowed crisply: "We greeted the Crown Prince, Prince Pingkang, and Prince Qunan in January (February, March...July)."
Seven voices rose and fell, soft and sweet, melting the hearts of the three princes.
"Alright, alright, no need for formalities!"
The Crown Prince smiled so much that wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. He took a piece of warm, smooth white jade from his waist and stuffed it into the hand of his eldest daughter, Yiyue, without saying a word. "I came in a hurry and didn't prepare any gifts. This is a small gift for my eldest niece."
Seeing this, Prince Pingkang generously took off the wolf tooth pendant from his waist and gave it to Eryue, who also looked calm: "Eryue, this is for you. It's a wolf tooth that your second uncle hunted himself. It can ward off evil spirits!"
The Prince of Qunan's eyes flickered as he took out a small, exquisite silver whistle inlaid with tiny gemstones from his sleeve and handed it to the youngest, Qiyue, saying softly, "Little Qiyue, this is for you to play with. If you get lost in the palace, blow it and your third uncle will hear you."
But giving only three was definitely not enough. The Crown Prince and the two princes racked their brains and squeezed every last penny they could get from themselves to give the seven little moons as a greeting gift.
With so many children, the three parents were practically bald from all the pampering.
After a lively exchange of gifts, the Crown Prince glanced at the sky and immediately declared, "It's a rare occasion for Lady Bai to return to the capital, and it's also a rare opportunity for us to get together."
"It's lunchtime right now, so let's have a feast today. I'll treat you and the children to a welcome dinner at Tianxiang Restaurant!"
"This...isn't this going to be a huge fuss?"
Bai Lu hesitated for a moment.
"It's alright,"
The Crown Prince laughed and said, "I'll have someone make arrangements right away to clear the area so the children can play freely."
"I'll speak to Mother Empress myself. She'll be happy if she knows we're taking you out to dinner."
"Let's go, Lady White Snake, don't refuse."
Having said that, Bai Lu stopped refusing and agreed with a smile.
The name Tianxianglou sounds slightly familiar. Could it be that Shen Congyun owns a restaurant here?
He's really awesome; he can drive anywhere.
Half an hour later, the best private room on the third floor of Tianxianglou, the largest restaurant in Kyoto, had been completely emptied, leaving only the most capable waiters to serve them.
On the octagonal table, cold dishes and hot meals were served in a continuous stream.
Considering the presence of children, the Crown Prince specifically instructed that more mild-tasting and novel dishes be served.
Crystal pork jelly is translucent and melts in your mouth.
The crab meat lion's head soup is delicious and the meat is tender.
The squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is sweet and sour, and has a unique shape.
There were also bowls of pigeon egg and bird's nest soup served in small white porcelain bowls, sweet but not greasy, warm and nourishing.
The children were a little reserved at first, but all three uncles were very kind.
Prince Pingkang was the children's favorite. He had no airs of a prince and would give one child a piece of boneless fish or tell another about his amusing hunting adventures on the frontier, making the children giggle.
In March, the girl with the most courage kept pestering him to let her see the sword at her waist. So Prince Pingkang actually took it off and drew it out a little. The cold, gleaming blade reflected the girl's surprised face, eliciting a few small gasps of surprise.
Qu Nanwang was even more observant. He noticed that June seemed to have a sweet tooth, so he quietly had the waiter place a plate of freshly served osmanthus-flavored glutinous rice lotus root in front of her.
He even peeled a shrimp for June, dipped it in a special sauce, and carefully fed it to her, his movements so gentle that they were unlike those of a prince.
The Crown Prince personally poured Bai Lu a cup of sweet fruit wine and said gently, "Lady Bai, you've had a hard time in Qingzhou all these years."
The prince then removed a bone from a piece of chicken for March and said gently, "Eat slowly, don't choke."
The meal was enjoyed by everyone, with both hosts and guests having a pleasant time.
The children's bellies were all round and full, like a few contented cats.
The youngest, July, even dozed off halfway through her meal, nestled in her mother's arms, with a little milk residue still on her lips.
After the meal, the waiter served delicate desserts and fruits.
There were plates of sliced honeydew melons and lychees, as well as red bean paste cakes shaped like little rabbits and carp.
"I'm full, I really can't eat anymore..."
February patted her round belly, but still couldn't resist picking up a little rabbit-shaped pastry and tasting it in small bites.
Seeing the child's smiling face, Bai Lu felt a weight lifted from her heart.
Let’s not talk about the other things for now.
At this moment, in this private room of Tianxiang Tower, they were family.
This warmth is real and precious.
Although the three brothers might turn against him later when they learn of his conspiracy with the Empress, that's a matter for later...
"Lady White Snake,"
Before parting, the Crown Prince personally saw Bailu and the children off to their carriage. He stood by the carriage with a solemn expression, saying, "Qingze's marriage is also a matter of state."
"Kyoto is a mixed bag of people, so please be careful with the children."
"If you encounter any difficulties, you may come to the Eastern Palace to find me at any time."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I understand."
Bai Lu nodded in agreement.
The carriage slowly started moving, and through the window, Bai Lu saw that the three princes of noble status were still standing in the same place, watching them leave.
The warm winter sun shone on them, casting long shadows that, for some reason, conveyed a sense of desolation.
Bai Lu withdrew her gaze, looked down at the sleeping July in her arms, and gently patted her back.
The wind has already risen in Kyoto.
The carriage had just entered the side gate of the Marquis of Anguo's residence, and the children were still chattering and reminiscing about the delicious food at Tianxianglou. Before Bailu could take them back to the courtyard to settle in, people from the palace arrived again.
This time, it was Steward Li who came.
His face was all smiles, and he bowed deeply upon seeing Bai Lu, saying, "This old servant greets the Marquis of Anguo. May Your Excellency enjoy boundless blessings."
Bai Lu was slightly surprised and quickly helped him up: "Steward Li, please get up quickly. What brings you here?"
Steward Li's smile deepened the wrinkles around his eyes. He glanced at the seven curious little heads peeking out behind Bai Lu, his voice full of affection.
"You jest, my lord."
"It's Your Majesty! Your Majesty heard that the Marquis and the seven young noble ladies have returned to the capital, and he's been missing them terribly!"
"That's why I specially sent this old servant to invite the Marquis to bring the young nobles to the palace immediately. His Majesty wants to meet them in the Imperial Study and says he wants to personally test the young nobles' studies!"
He leaned closer, lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret: "His Majesty has even ordered dinner to be served in the small flower hall of the Imperial Study, saying he wants to have a simple home-cooked meal with the Marquis and his granddaughters. This is an immense favor!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Lu's heart sank slightly.
Having just met the Empress and then the three princes, the Emperor is now eagerly summoning him again.
She glanced at the children; they had just eaten their fill at Tianxianglou, their little faces were rosy, and they were full of energy, but they really couldn't eat anymore.
"I'm grateful that Steward Li would make the trip in person."
Bai Lu smiled gently, her face showing no emotion. "The children have just gotten off the carriage and have had a bumpy ride. We should change them into clean clothes and give them a fresh wash so they won't lose their composure in front of His Majesty."
"It should, it should."
Steward Li responded readily and tactfully stepped aside to wait.
A quarter of an hour later, Bai Lu, along with her seven daughters who had changed into new clothes and were full of energy, boarded the spacious carriage sent by the palace and headed towards the palace once again.
The emperor was already waiting inside. He was not wearing a dragon robe, but a plain bright yellow dress. His temples were streaked with gray, but his eyes were still sharp.
Upon seeing Bailu and the children enter, a kind smile immediately bloomed on his face, instantly softening his imperial majesty and giving him a more approachable, grandfatherly air.
"Come here quickly, let me take a good look at you!"
The emperor beckoned to the children, his gaze sweeping over them one by one, finally settling on the most composed January. He nodded in satisfaction, "Good, good! My granddaughters have all grown up to be so beautiful!"
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. Long live Your Majesty."
Bai Lu led her daughters in performing a grand ceremony.
"Get up, all of you, get up!"
The emperor personally descended the steps, gently helped Bailu up, then patted the heads of the older girls one by one, and finally picked up the still somewhat dazed Qiyue.
July had just taken a short nap in the carriage when she was held by a strange grandfather who smelled of ambergris. She blinked her eyes in confusion but didn't cry or fuss.
The emperor was amused by her adorable appearance and laughed heartily. Pointing at Bailu, he said to Chief Steward Li, "Look at her, how cute this child is, just like her mother!"
After a warm greeting and a thorough examination.
He simply asked his eldest daughter what books she had read and his second daughter what musical instrument she had learned, praising them for being knowledgeable, reasonable, and exceptionally intelligent—and then the sky gradually darkened.
Chief Steward Li stepped forward at the opportune moment to report: "Your Majesty, dinner is ready."
"Alright, serve the meal!"
The emperor was in high spirits. Holding July in his arms and holding June's hand in his other hand, he led the way to the small flower hall on the side. "Come on, let's go eat! I specially asked the imperial kitchen to make dishes that you children like today."