Prince of Yanbei, Ren Yaoqi, had seen him before, but this time, unlike his usual public demeanor, there was a fatherly warmth in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Jinglin, making him appear no different from any ordinary father watching his daughter come of age.
As expected, the Yun Family Eldest Miss, Yun Qiuchen, served as Xiao Jinglin’s ceremonial assistant. Dressed in a crimson gown, she stood there with a gentle smile, effortlessly drawing the attention of everyone present even without uttering a word.
The entire coming-of-age ceremony was exceedingly intricate. Perhaps due to her status, Princess Xiao’s ceremony took longer than that of an ordinary girl, and her attire included an additional phoenix crown adorned with four phoenixes facing the sun, along with a formal deep purple ceremonial robe.
Just as the ceremony was nearing its conclusion, someone entered from outside and approached the Prince of Yanbei, whispering a few words. The Prince nodded, issued some instructions, and gestured for the ceremony to proceed.
Finally, after the ceremony concluded, Xiao Jinglin, clad in her heavy ceremonial attire, performed the ritual kowtow to the Prince and Princess Consort. At that moment, a sharp voice echoed from outside: “An imperial decree has arrived. Prince of Yanbei, Xiao Yan, Princess Consort Yun, and Commandery Princess Xiao Jinglin, receive the decree!”
The Eastern Hall fell silent instantly, and all eyes turned toward the Prince of Yanbei.
The Prince’s expression remained unchanged as he ordered preparations for the incense table to receive the decree. The Princess Consort also instructed attendants to guide the guests to the Qingzheng Hall for tea. The eunuch who had arrived first was merely the advance messenger, informing the household of the decree’s arrival and urging them to prepare for its reception. The actual decree-proclaiming eunuch was still on his way.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin before following Rong Shi and Madam Li out of the Eastern Hall.
Noticing Ren Yaoqi’s furrowed brows along the way, Rong Shi gently patted the back of her hand and whispered, “Don’t worry, nothing major will happen.”
Ren Yaoqi nodded. She knew that given the current strength of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, even if the imperial court harbored resentment toward it, they would not dare provoke the Prince on his own turf at this time. However, her right eyelid had been twitching persistently since earlier, leaving her with an uneasy feeling.
But since Rong Shi had noticed her concern, Ren Yaoqi chose not to say anything to avoid worrying them further. She followed the crowd as they retreated to the Qingzheng Hall.
Their group exited last, so they lagged behind the others. Just as they were about to enter the Qingzheng Hall, they saw a group of people approaching.
Leading the group seemed to be the Prince of Yanbei’s half-brother, Xiao Heng, and Third Young Master Xiao, Xiao Jingyue. When Ren Yaoqi recognized the person walking side by side with Xiao Heng, she halted in her tracks, rooted to the spot.
Rong Shi and Madam Li both glanced back at Ren Yaoqi. Just as Madam Li was about to speak, the approaching group noticed them and quickened their pace.
A somewhat effeminate voice rang out with a laugh, “Oh, isn’t this Princess Consort Xian?”
As he spoke, he broke away from the group and strode forward. Midway, however, he slapped his forehead in apparent annoyance. “Ah, look at my memory! What Prince Xian and Princess Consort Xian are left in this world? I’m getting old and muddled.”
Then, with a smiling yet troubled expression, he fixed his gaze on Rong Shi and asked, “What should I call you now?”Rong Shi carefully examined the man for a few moments before smiling and nodding. "So it's Eunuch Lu. It's been a long time."
Since Rong Shi addressed him as "Eunuch," he must be a palace eunuch. Madam Li and Ren Yaohua couldn't help but glance over at him.
This Eunuch Lu was dressed in the lotus-blue casual attire of a chief eunuch, wearing a hair crown. He appeared to be in his thirties, with fair and handsome features and a scholarly demeanor. However, the way he looked at people made one feel deeply uncomfortable—slimy, effeminate, as if being watched by a venomous snake.
Eunuch Lu sneered, "Oh, your memory is quite sharp, actually remembering me. Back when you used to frequent the palace, I was just a clueless brat, only knowing how to play the sycophant behind the senior eunuchs. More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye... But look, it's not proper without a form of address. How about I call you... Wait, what was the maiden name of the deposed Princess Consort of Prince Xian again?" As he spoke, Eunuch Lu lightly tapped his forehead and turned to ask the young eunuch following him.
Though the young eunuch was not old, he was clever and immediately replied, "Grandfather, the deposed Princess Consort of Prince Xian’s maiden name is Rong."
Eunuch Lu clapped his hands. "Yes, yes, it's Rong! Look at me, almost forgetting. The Rong family was once a prominent clan. The deposed Princess Consort’s grandfather even served as Grand Councilor. What a pity that later, not many of that great family remained. No wonder I can hardly recall your surname now."
Upon hearing this, Rong Shi’s expression remained unchanged. She stood there with a faint smile, as if Eunuch Lu were not speaking of her own family.
Eunuch Lu’s gaze then shifted to Madam Li and the two Ren sisters. Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes expressionlessly, and no one noticed her hands trembling slightly within her sleeves.
"Rong Shi, who are these people to you? Ah, this one I have some impression of. She often accompanied you into the palace to see the disgraced Consort Wan back then. Isn’t this Commandery Princess Jiayi?"
Madam Li glanced at Eunuch Lu and then at Rong Shi. Over a decade ago, when she frequently visited the palace, Eunuch Lu was indeed an obscure young eunuch, so she had no recollection of him. Moreover, from the moment this eunuch began speaking, his words had been laced with barbs and hidden malice. Thus, Madam Li merely smiled and said nothing.
The young eunuch beside Eunuch Lu, however, scolded discontentedly, "Grandfather Lu is speaking to you!" Then he muttered, "Do you even realize whose reign this is now? Do you still think you’re some Commandery Princess?"
Unexpectedly, Madam Li, who had always been mild-tempered and avoided disputes, replied, "My grandfather’s surname is Li, and his given name is Ye. I wonder which grandfather you are referring to?"
These words silenced everyone present. Li Ye was the name of the late emperor, something ordinary people dared not even mention. Even Eunuch Lu dared not publicly respond with, "Your grandfather is me."
The young eunuch, having come from the palace, understood the gravity of the situation better than anyone. Realizing he had misspoken to curry favor with Eunuch Lu and had been caught in a major blunder, his face turned deathly pale, and he nearly wet his pants in fright.
Eunuch Lu stared at Madam Li for a long moment before suddenly laughing. Then, he delivered a heavy slap to the young eunuch’s face.Then, taking a handkerchief handed by another young eunuch to wipe his hands, he said casually, "After returning, go before Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and receive a hundred strokes. Whether you live or die will depend on heaven's will."
The young eunuch knelt to the side, not daring to utter another sound.
Eunuch Lu, however, smiled and nodded at Rong Shi, saying, "Excellent, truly excellent!"
Rong Shi knew that those serving before the Empress Dowager intended to humiliate them to curry favor with Empress Dowager Yan, who was far away in the capital. Such things had long ceased to surprise her, so Eunuch Lu's meaningful smile did not unsettle her in the slightest.
She nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Eunuch Lu, you must have official business to attend to during your visit to Yanbei. We won’t disturb you any further and will take our leave now."
Xiao Heng also said, "Eunuch Lu, Chengde Hall is just ahead. Allow me to escort you there."
Eunuch Lu, however, seemed not yet satisfied. His gaze shifted from Rong Shi to Madam Li and the Ren sisters. Ren Yaohua felt deeply uncomfortable under the scrutiny of a eunuch. In the past, she would have lost her temper, but now her disposition had grown more steady. Knowing that those from the palace were not to be trifled with, she frowned and lowered her head to avoid Eunuch Lu’s gaze.
Eunuch Lu’s eyes lingered on Ren Yaohua and Ren Yaoqi before he nodded again with a smile. "Excellent, truly excellent."
Though he did not specify what was excellent, his gaze was clearly malicious. Ren Yaohua nearly lost her composure but was quietly steadied as Ren Yaoqi grasped her hand beneath their sleeves.
Turning to Xiao Heng and Xiao Jingyue, Eunuch Lu remarked, "The blood of the disgraced Consort Wan truly makes a difference. Look at these two young ladies, tsk... especially this one. She bears quite a resemblance to Consort Wan in her youth. Little girl, come tell me, what is your name?"
Eunuch Lu stepped closer to Ren Yaoqi and reached out to pinch her chin. Both Rong Shi and Madam Li paled, about to intervene, but Ren Yaohua, standing beside Ren Yaoqi, swiftly stepped forward to shield her and shoved Eunuch Lu hard.
Filled with rage, Ren Yaohua used considerable force. Eunuch Lu had not expected anyone to dare lay hands on him. Carrying the emperor’s decree, even the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion dared not openly oppose him, which was why he felt bold enough to bully the fallen Xianwang Residence in Yanbei territory—all to report back to the Empress Dowager and amuse her. Caught off guard, he stumbled from the push, twisting his right ankle. He let out a sharp cry, his face turning pale with pain.
Seeing this, Xiao Heng and Xiao Jingyue both changed expressions and hurried forward to inquire if Eunuch Lu was injured.
With a contorted expression, Eunuch Lu pointed at Ren Yaohua and shrieked, "How dare you strike me! Seize her at once!"
Madam Li quickly pulled Ren Yaohua into her arms to protect her.
Realizing the situation had escalated, Rong Shi felt troubled but stepped forward, saying, "The child is young and ignorant. Please, Eunuch, be magnanimous and do not hold it against her. Are you all right? Let me summon a physician to examine you."
Eunuch Lu ignored her entirely, shouting at the two young eunuchs, "Why are you still standing there? Go and seize that girl!"Originally, a few people who had entered the Qingzheng Hall also came out upon hearing the commotion. However, seeing that the conflict with Rong Shi and the others involved a eunuch, no one dared to step forward to mediate. Instead, they discreetly sent someone to the Chengde Hall to inform the Prince and Princess Consort.
As the two young eunuchs were about to follow orders and seize Ren Yaohua, Ren Yaoqi grew anxious and wanted to resolve the crisis. She knew better than anyone that Ren Yaohua must not fall into Eunuch Lu’s hands, or she would likely be ruined by him.
Just then, a voice tinged with laughter sounded from not far away: "So everyone is here. Eunuch Lu, the incense altar has been prepared. My father and mother are still waiting in the Chengde Hall to receive the imperial decree."
OpenNovel