Lu Ying found it unbelievable. Since only she and Wei Caiwei were in the bedroom, she boldly reached out to pinch Shang Qinglan's cheek. "In less than a month, she must have gained at least three catties."
"Five catties and two taels," Wei Caiwei replied. "She was weighed on the first day of the Imperial Concubine Selection in Baoding Prefecture and again yesterday. Her body has rounded out, and she's grown taller. She's only thirteen, just had her first period, and is in a growth spurt—she eats more than others and grows faster."
Lu Ying said, "No wonder I didn't recognize her when she was drunk on the rock. She really likes playing with fire—sleeping on a stone where the slightest turn could send her rolling off the cliff. Eunuch Huang thought she was a palace maid and ordered her carried up."
Wei Caiwei asked, "Eunuch Huang gave the order?" Not the Jiajing Emperor?
Lu Ying, being naive and unaware of the emperor's intentions, said, "Yes, the Emperor saw it but said nothing. It was Eunuch Huang who instructed it."
That old fox Huang Jin was best at guessing the emperor's thoughts. A mere palace maid would typically be sent down the mountain at most—why bring her to the Moon Palace instead?
What was destined to happen had arrived early. Shang Qinglan was fated to become a favored consort.
Wei Caiwei said, "Finding her is good enough. I'll go back and inform Granny Song so she won't worry."
Lu Ying said, "Since you've come all this way, I'll take her down the mountain to rejoin the other candidates."
Wei Caiwei thought: Absolutely unnecessary! This is the woman the Emperor has his eye on—are you trying to take a cooked duck away from the plate?
Wei Caiwei said, "Well... for the sake of one minor candidate, there's no need for such effort. Let her sober up and walk down herself."
Lu Ying replied, "That would delay her selection. It's a shame to miss the final round after coming this far. Anyway, I have other tasks. Wang Daxia caught a peeping tom at Penglai Pavilion who was spying on the candidates—he's still tied up there. I'll arrest him and take this candidate down on the way. Perhaps she still has a chance."
Wei Caiwei mused: She never needs to seize opportunities—they flock to her on their own. No one can stop it. Even reckless eating and drinking managed to catch the old emperor's attention—she truly doesn't need your help!
But... a peeping tom? That person who interrupted my meeting with Wang Daxia was a pervert? Daring to spy on imperial candidates—he's lusting after death!
Lu Ying acted with impulsive efficiency and was about to wrap Shang Qinglan in a quilt to carry her down.
"Wait," Wei Caiwei quickly found an excuse. "After all, Eunuch Huang ordered her brought here. Since I came searching for her, I should at least inform him before taking her away."
Lu Ying nodded, "That makes sense. I'll just—"
Before she could finish, Huang Jin rushed in upon hearing the news: He knew Lu Ying was straightforward and feared she might release the girl!
The Jiajing Emperor was currently speaking with Wang Daxia and would likely come later to see the young beauty sleeping among the blossoms.
Lu Ying said, "You've come at the perfect time, Elder. This isn't a palace maid but a selection candidate. I was just about to take her down."
(The Ming court customarily addressed powerful eunuchs as "Elder.")
Huang Jin wiped sweat nervously: Fortunately, I arrived in time! If the Emperor came and found her gone, how would I explain?
It was rare for the Emperor to find someone who pleased him.
At this point, Huang Jin could no longer conceal the situation. He said, "Palace maid or candidate, if the Emperor has taken a liking to her, it's her good fortune."
"Miss Lu, you're trying to steal what's already been claimed."Upon hearing this, Lu Ying immediately fell silent, bowed to Huang Jin, and left together with Wei Caiwei.
Once outside, Lu Ying said to Wei Caiwei, "The Emperor truly didn't say anything at the time—I didn't notice anything unusual."
Wei Caiwei asked, "What did the Emperor do?"
Lu Ying thought for a moment: "A gust of wind blew flower petals onto Shang Qinglan's face, and the Emperor casually brushed them away."
"That's the key point," Wei Caiwei blinked. "If Wang Daxia were to brush away petals that had fallen on your face, would you find it normal?"
Lu Ying immediately blurted out, "How dare he!"
Putting herself in the other's shoes, the moment she spoke these words, Lu Ying understood the underlying ambiguity in the Emperor's gesture.
When Wei Caiwei arrived at the Moon Palace, Wang Daxia was having an audience with the Emperor. Like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers, he vividly described the scene of raiding the Red Sleeve Brothel at the Pool of Accumulated Water:
"...At Commander Lu's order, I immediately threw a tiger claw to climb onto the roof, attacking from above. Just as I was about to strike, Lord Lu arrived riding an Akhal-Teke horse and fired a shot into the sky. Our Lord Lu and Commander Lu fight side by side like father and son. Upon hearing the gunshot, Commander Lu instantly understood there was an ambush inside and ordered us to retreat quickly."
"I am Commander Lu's subordinate. Though I didn't understand at the time why Commander Lu called off the operation, when he gives an order, I would go through fire and water without hesitation. So I led the team to jump into the lake—and with a thunderous boom, the two-story building exploded!"
"The scene was filled with billowing smoke and flying sparks. Fortunately, Commander Lu reacted swiftly and ordered us to retreat. Had we been a step slower, I would have been blown to pieces."
The firsthand account from someone who experienced it was certainly more vivid than dry official reports. The Jiajing Emperor had only seen in the secret dispatch that the Embroidered Uniform Guard suffered no casualties, with nine minor injuries—a great victory. But listening to Wang Daxia's detailed narration made it sound perilous and narrow escape.
The Jiajing Emperor was concerned about Lu Ying's marital prospects. Wang Daxia was indeed handsome, both clever and brave, and not the least bit intimidated—he could still chat and laugh effortlessly in front of the Emperor. No wonder both Lu Bing and Lu Ying held him in high regard.
However, from Wang Daxia's tone, it seemed he still didn't know that "Mulan is a woman"?
Wang Daxia dared not claim credit for himself. Knowing the Jiajing Emperor favored Lord Lu and his son, he emphasized how Lu Bing galloped through the rainy night to turn the tide, and how Lu Ying shared a telepathic bond with her father, moving heaven and earth with their father-daughter rapport.
But how could he possibly see through the old emperor's thoughts? No matter how Wang Daxia elaborated, the Jiajing Emperor's expression remained completely unchanged.
After Wang Daxia finished speaking, the Jiajing Emperor said, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard continues to produce talented individuals. This brings me great comfort."
Wang Daxia quickly replied, "It is all thanks to the mentorship of Lord Lu and Commander Lu."
The Jiajing Emperor thought to himself: Given Wang Daxia's background, being able to attach himself to Lu Ying meant he was essentially a kept man. Yet even as such, he constantly reminded himself who provided this privilege—never forgetting the source of his benefits. He didn't seem like an ungrateful wretch, understanding whose favor he owed. His attitude as a kept man was proper. Lu Bing had a good eye.
He wondered when Lu Bing would finally reveal Lu Ying's true gender.
In the Jiajing Emperor's view, once Lu Bing spoke up, Wang Daxia could have no other reaction but to be endlessly grateful and marry Lu Ying.It's unclear whether Lu Bing was satisfied with Wang Daxia, but the Jiajing Emperor found him acceptable and remarked, "You are the promising young talent of this generation in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, achieving success at a young age. However, your tenure is still short, and you need more tempering. Remain humble and patient, and you will surely accomplish great things in the future."
Do not fail the trust your milk-brother placed in you!
If you ever betray Yinghua, I will have you killed.
Wang Daxia, completely unaware of the warning in the Emperor's words, mistook them for praise and promptly replied, "Your servant will heed Your Majesty's admonition, willing to risk life and limb for the Great Ming (and seek promotion and wealth)."
The Jiajing Emperor bestowed upon Wang Daxia a Flying Fish Uniform, a set of armor, two bolts of cloth, and a sword.
Wang Daxia knelt in gratitude and left cheerfully with his rewards.
Just outside the main hall, Wu Xiaoqi approached him, "Hundred-Household Commander Wang, Doctor Wei came to the Moon Palace earlier..."
After Wu Xiaoqi recounted what had happened, "...Doctor Wei went down the mountain with Commander Lu to capture the lecherous thief. They likely haven't gone far—Hundred-Household Commander Wang might still catch up."
Upon hearing this, Wang Daxia immediately gave chase and caught up with the two near the mountain rock where Shang Qinglan lay drunk. He would never miss any opportunity to be with Wei Caiwei, even if they were to part ways after descending the mountain.
Back in the Moon Palace, the Jiajing Emperor, his interest piqued, went to see the drunken beauty. Shang Qinglan was still in a stupor. Though the Emperor, mindful of his dignity, longed to taste this unripe fruit, he refrained from taking advantage of her unconscious state.
Gazing at the charmingly intoxicated beauty, the Emperor casually picked up a brush and wrote Su Dongpo's poem "The Crabapple":
"The east wind softly blows, stirring radiant light;
Fragrant mists drift as the moon shifts along the corridor.
Fearful that the flowers might slumber too deep in the night,
I light a tall candle to illuminate their crimson attire."
At fifty-three, the Jiajing Emperor's body had long been failing him. It had been over a month since he last summoned any imperial consorts to the Western Park to attend him. Even when he called upon Consort Lu Jingfei and others, it was mostly to inquire about their children's recent affairs—purely for conversation, without sharing the imperial bed or bestowing favors.
But today, perhaps due to the elixir he had taken in the morning, the Emperor felt a warmth coursing through him. As he wrote the line "I light a tall candle to illuminate their crimson attire," his long-dormant "old candle" unexpectedly ignited!
Ah, when would this drunken crabapple awaken?
Just as the Emperor, this aged pear blossom, contemplated how to overwhelm the tender crabapple on the dragon bed, the chrysanthemum banquet in the eastern garden was drawing to a close. The gathering was about to disperse, and Li Jiubao, growing anxious at Wei Caiwei and Shang Qinglan's prolonged absence, betrayed her youth with visible unease.
Consort Lu Jingfei, already regarding her as the future mother of her grandson, had been keeping an eye on her. Noticing her tension, she called her over and asked, "What troubles you? Why so flustered?"
To speak would risk harming Shang Qinglan.
But to remain silent—how could she explain herself to Consort Lu?
Granny Song, seeing her dilemma, stepped in to mediate, "Replying to Consort Lu Jingfei—"
"Your Highness, Commander Lu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests an audience," a eunuch hastily interrupted, cutting off Granny Song.
Lu Bing's daughter naturally took precedence over an old nursemaid. Consort Lu Jingfei said, "Admit him."
The eunuch promptly ushered Granny Song and Li Jiubao away.
Lu Ying and Wei Caiwei approached one after another. The selected maidens, upon seeing an outsider man, lowered their heads or hid behind silk fans—all except Li Jiubao, who spotted Wei Caiwei behind Lu Ying. Her eyes softened with relief: they had finally returned!But as Wei Caiwei passed by, Shang Qinglan was still nowhere to be seen. Li Jiubao's heart, which had just settled, couldn't help but tense up again.
Even Granny Song grew restless. "Why has Doctor Wei returned, but there's still no sign of Shang Qinglan? Could that young lady have gotten into trouble?"
Lu Ying bowed to Lu Jingfei, who responded with a smile. "Commander Lu, please take a seat. The chrysanthemum wine today is quite good—pour a cup for Commander Lu."
Lu Ying sat down but politely declined. "Thank you for the offer, Your Highness, but I still have official duties to attend to and cannot drink now. I will gratefully accept Your Highness's kindness another day. Your Highness, I came to relay a message from Eunuch Huang: the candidate Shang Qinglan is already attending to His Majesty. There is no need for Your Highness to wait for her return."
What? The Emperor has taken a liking to that silly girl who only knows how to eat and drink? And I was planning to foist her on that thorn in my side, Prince Yu!
Lu Jingfei was astounded. "The Emperor... is on Qionghua Island?"
Lu Ying replied, "As I am responsible for protecting His Majesty, I cannot disclose his whereabouts. Your Highness, I have delivered the message. I take my leave."
At this, not only was Lu Jingfei left speechless, but the entire chrysanthemum banquet fell into silence. Upon hearing that Shang Qinglan was already attending the Emperor, all the candidates turned to stone. It was unbelievable—that glutton who had no talents and only knew how to "punish herself with three cups" had actually beaten everyone to the Emperor's side! A sparrow had turned into a phoenix!
Granny Song looked up at the sun: Had it risen from the west today?
Li Jiubao thought: Qinglan won't be able to return home to show off to the folks from her village.
After explaining Shang Qinglan's situation, Lu Ying immediately led Wang Daxia and others to Penglai Pavilion to capture the lecher.
Entering the pavilion, they found the lecher still there, now awake but covered in dust and speckled with bloodstains. The grime of dust and dried blood caked his face.
It turned out that after Prince Jing woke up, he found himself bound hand and foot, unable to move, with a cloth gag in his mouth, preventing him from calling for help.
Fortunately, there were shards of broken glass from the smashed telescope on the floor. Gritting his teeth, Prince Jing rolled onto the shards, embedding several pieces in his body. His face was smeared with dust, turning him into a grimy prince.
Using his only movable ten fingers, he picked up a larger glass shard and slowly began sawing at the belt binding his wrists.
However, thinking was simple, but doing was difficult.
Because Wang Daxia had tied the knots too tightly, Prince Jing's fingers were numb. He mustered all his strength to hold the glass shard but could barely make any progress. After a few feeble attempts, his fingers gave out, and the shard fell.
After several failed tries, Prince Jing decided to risk it all. He sat up, clamped the glass shard between his feet, and then moved his bound wrists back and forth against the shard.
This method was easier since his feet remained still, holding the shard in place, while only his wrists moved up and down.
However, the glass shard kept shifting and cutting his feet. As Prince Jing sawed, his feet bled. A favored prince—when had he ever endured such hardship?
The pain brought tears and snot streaming down his face, mixing with the dust and blood, making him look even less human.
Finally, Prince Jing managed to cut through the belt on his wrists. His hands freed, the first thing he did was remove the gag from his mouth and scream for help at the top of his lungs.However, man proposes but God disposes. Just at that moment, Lu Ying arrived with her team. Seeing that the lecher had already struggled free from his bonds, Wang Daxia immediately leaped forward and delivered a fierce flying kick, sending the villain sprawling to the ground. "You vile wretch! Don't even think about escaping!"
Wang Daxia pinned the lecher down with his knee against the man's spine, twisted both arms behind his back, retrieved the belt and securely rebound his hands. Then he hauled the lecher upright. "Since you're awake now, walk by yourself."
When Jing Wang saw Lu Ying, he immediately began making frantic muffled noises through his gag. He and Lu Ying had known each other since childhood - while this unfamiliar Embroidered Uniform Guard didn't recognize him, Lu Ying would surely identify him!
But Lu Ying had always been somewhat face-blind - she hadn't even recognized Shang Qinglan after the latter had gained five pounds and washed off her bridal makeup when she was found drunk on the garden rocks. How could she possibly recognize Jing Wang now, with his face smeared with dust, blood, and sticky nasal mucus, completely disfigured and gagged?
Moreover, the clever Wang Daxia, worried the lecher might escape, had stripped off his trousers and shoes and hidden them elsewhere, ensuring that even if he broke free, he couldn't run far. Jing Wang now wore only his robe, completely bare from the waist down. As a woman, how could Lu Ying possibly stare intently at a half-naked man?
Thus, Lu Ying simply waved her hand commandingly. "Take the lecher away! Lock him in the dungeon for severe interrogation."
Author's note: Jiajing Emperor: Is this heartbeat? Oh no, can't avoid these eyes~ This inexplicable racing heart when I look at you~
Good morning everyone! Recent comments have been a bit sparse, not enough to satisfy my reading cravings. Sending this extra-long chapter early in the morning - begging for comments!
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