Your Majesty is Poisonous – Chapter 114
by Little PandaThe Empress Dowager Refuses
Sun Yan arrived at the palace gate on horseback, the sky still dark. The guards on duty took the token she handed over, examined it against the candle flame, and exchanged a look.
The guard captain stepped forward, respectfully returned the token to Sun Yan, and said with a placating smile, “The palace has its rules, Miss. Without His Majesty’s imperial decree, no one is permitted to ride through the palace grounds. Although you hold Eldest Princess Longyi’s token, we must seek confirmation from Her Highness herself. Should His Majesty investigate such an infraction, we cannot bear the responsibility.”
“If the Emperor blames me for breaking the rules, Princess Longyi will explain it on my behalf. It won’t involve you,” Sun Yan said, sensing that something was amiss.
Naturally, she knew that horses and carriages could not enter or exit the palace at will, but she had entered in a carriage just yesterday because she had too much luggage. The guards at the gate had seen her holding the Princess’s token and let her through without a single question. Why the sudden change today?
Was it because bringing luggage in a carriage was deemed understandable, whereas riding a horse alone through the palace was considered a danger to the palace residents?
Sun Yan gave it some thought and realized she might indeed be in the wrong. She had no choice but to sit on a chair brought by one of the guards. “Then go and come back quickly.” It wasn’t far from the palace of her cousin Longyi; a round trip would only take about fifteen minutes.
“Thank you for your understanding, Miss,” the guard captain said apologetically. He then shot a glance at his subordinate. “Hurry up and go!”
In Qianqing Palace, Emperor Ming Cheng was preparing to dress for the morning court session when a young eunuch rushed in with a message: “Your Majesty, Cousin Sun attempted to ride out of the palace before dawn. Following your imperial order, the gate guards made an excuse and stopped her.”
“Leaving the palace in such a hurry?” Emperor Ming Cheng’s heart tightened. She had only entered the palace yesterday with so much luggage, yet she was rushing to leave before sunrise today. What could it be other than trying to avoid him? That accidental kiss in Longyi Palace must have frightened that girl Sun Yan, making her think he was a frivolous rogue. “Tang Huaili, go to Taihe Gate and pass the word—tell the ministers to wait.”
He shed the dragon robe he had only half-donned, changed into his everyday clothes, and rode his dragon palanquin toward the palace gates.
Sun Yan was sitting by the palace gate, thoroughly bored, when she saw the Emperor’s dragon palanquin heading in her direction. Recalling the words her cousin had just spoken to her, Sun Yan cast a sidelong glance at the guard captain. The guard looked away guiltily.
Ha! So it really was the Emperor’s doing.
Sun Yan stood up, so furious that she shattered the wooden chair to splinters with a single stamp of her foot. She would see exactly what this lecherous Emperor wanted! If it truly turned out as her cousin said—that he wanted her to follow in Yao-jiejie’s footsteps and enter the imperial harem as a consort—she wouldn’t show him any courtesy.
As Emperor Ming Cheng drew near and saw Sun Yan standing by the roadside, staring coldly at him, he quickly stepped down from his dragon palanquin and smiled. “Why aren’t you resting in Longyi Palace? What are you doing here?” He glanced at the tall horse beside her. “Do you want to ride? If you want to gallop, you should go to the pastures! What’s the fun in riding along these paved palace paths? We’ll take you another day.”
“This civilian woman greets Your Majesty.” Sun Yan performed a perfunctory, expressionless bow, then straightened. “Where is Your Majesty headed?” It was supposed to be the hour of the morning court session, and Taihe Gate was certainly not in this direction. She didn’t believe for a second that the Emperor was merely passing by.
“We felt somewhat troubled, so We decided to take a quiet stroll while the palace is still peaceful,” Emperor Ming Cheng said, his voice lacking conviction.
“Then Your Majesty’s timing is perfect.” Sun Yan also forced a smile. “This civilian woman is trying to leave the palace, but the guard captain insists that horses are not allowed to be ridden through without an imperial decree. He refuses to let me go.”
Emperor Ming Cheng dared not let her leave. The world was vast. If Sun Yan returned to her own home or the Princess’s Mansion, it would be fine, but if she went elsewhere to hide from him, where would he even begin to look?
“All of you, withdraw!” Emperor Ming Cheng ordered his attending eunuchs and the gate guards to retire. Once only he and Sun Yan remained, he spoke. “Yesterday in Longyi Palace, We didn’t mean to offend you.”
Seeing that the Emperor had dismissed everyone, Sun Yan took a step back, fearing he might try to touch her again. She really should’ve asked her cousin to escort her out of the palace; otherwise, how could there be so many complications? “This civilian woman hasn’t taken it to heart.”
“If you haven’t taken it to heart, why are you rushing to leave the palace before dawn?” Emperor Ming Cheng gazed at her through the thin morning mist. “We hope you can stay in the palace for a few more days. We’re old acquaintances, after all. We wish to catch up on old times and repay you for saving Our life all those years ago.”
“And how does Your Majesty plan to repay me?” Sun Yan remained cold. Letting her leave the palace without further ado would be the greatest repayment she could ask for.
Emperor Ming Cheng clasped his hands behind his back. After a long silence, he gathered his courage and said tenderly, “We wish to marry you and care for you for the rest of your life. Since the day you helped Us in your childhood, We’ve never ceased to think of you. Many years have passed, and We’ve experienced much, but you’re the only one We’ve never been able to let go of.”
“…” Sun Yan’s mouth fell open in shock. “I helped you, yet you want to drag me into the palace?!” Out of sheer fury, she forgot all decorum and hierarchy.
Emperor Ming Cheng nodded with a look of quiet gratification.
Is this really not repaying kindness with enmity? Sun Yan suppressed her rising temper and said, “Throughout my life, I’ve helped and saved countless people. If everyone shared Your Majesty’s sentiments, wouldn’t I end up with a harem of husbands? Besides, if everyone who was rescued insisted on dedicating their body in marriage, who would ever dare to step in and help in the future?”
“You’re unwilling?” Hearing Sun Yan’s words, Emperor Ming Cheng felt a pang of sorrow. When this girl had helped him as a child, she had been quite attached to him! Unfortunately, their time together had been brief. Shortly after meeting her, he and his Mother Consort had faced numerous perils. By the time he finally secured the position of Crown Prince, his Mother Consort had insisted that he marry Empress Zhu.
“I’m completely unwilling!” Only a madwoman would agree. But the moment the words left her mouth, Sun Yan realized that such a blunt rejection of the sovereign bordered on treason. To save her own neck, she quickly softened her tone. “This civilian woman is crude and unrefined, unworthy of entering the palace to serve Your Majesty.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re unwilling right now.” Emperor Ming Cheng lowered his head and smiled. He was in no rush; he’d waited for Jieyu Lan for so many years, so he could certainly wait even longer for Sun Yan. “You’ve only just arrived in the palace, so there’s no need to rush away. An opera troupe’s coming today; let’s enjoy the entertainment together. We still have the morning court session to attend, so We’ll speak with you later.” Without waiting for her response, he stepped back onto his dragon palanquin.
Yao Xi woke up in a foul mood.
Last night, the Empress Dowager had not only given her a thousand taels of silver as promised, but she’d even cut her nails. With things progressing to that point, Yao Xi had naturally assumed they’d share a night of intimacy…
Yet, nothing had happened at all!!!
Once she finished cutting her nails, Her Highness had simply left her in the warm pavilion and returned to her own bedchamber to sleep alone.
WTF!
In that case, why had Her Highness gone out of her way to cut her nails so short? And why had she asked if Yao Xi was afraid of pain? She’d got her hopes up for absolutely nothing!
After dressing, Yao Xi slipped into the inner chamber and found the Empress Dowager still fast asleep, resting peacefully on her side. She crept forward on tiptoe, sat down on the footstool, and rested her chin in her hands to admire Her Highness’s sleeping face.
Sensing a shadow suddenly falling over her, Wan Bi opened her eyes and met Yao Xi’s doting, infatuated gaze. “Do not hover before this bereaved one so silently. What if I accidentally harm you?” Wan Bi pulled her hand out from under the covers and brandished the hand gun she had been clutching.
“Your Highness even sleeps holding that?” Yao Xi was astonished. Wouldn’t such a large iron thing be terribly uncomfortable under the blankets? More importantly, what if it misfired in her sleep and she injured herself?
“Who knows when danger might strike?” Wan Bi set the hand gun aside, sat up, and let out a yawn.
She’d originally intended to have Yao Xi sleep beside her in the bedchamber last night. However, she hadn’t eaten for several days, and her frantic exertions with Yao Xi yesterday morning had entirely drained her physical strength. If she held Yao Xi close while unable to act on her desires, she’d only torture herself. Thus, she’d decided it was better for them to sleep separately.
“Xiao Yaozi.” Wan Bi tapped her own lips, gesturing for Yao Xi to come closer and kiss her.
Yao Xi leaned forward, but just as she was about to press her lips to Wan Bi’s, she remembered something. She immediately pulled back and shook her head. “Your Highness is trying to trick this slave again. A single kiss costs ten thousand taels—this slave dares not.” She hadn’t saved up nearly enough silver yet!
The pleasant mood Wan Bi had felt upon waking was instantly ruined by this remark. The only reason she had demanded ten thousand taels was to see if this little money-grubber would be willing to part with so much silver for her sake.
“This bereaved one will be angered to death by you sooner or later.” Wan Bi threw off the blankets, stepped onto the floor barefoot, and pulled Yao Xi into her arms, pressing her lips down in a deep kiss. She stroked Yao Xi’s body with deliberate fervor, her tongue invading Yao Xi’s sweet mouth with wild intensity. Only when Yao Xi’s eyes grew hazy and her limbs went entirely limp did Wan Bi break the kiss with a wicked grin, releasing her without a hint of lingering attachment.
“Your Highness?” Yao Xi leaned weakly in Her Highness’s embrace, her eyes fluttering open with unfulfilled longing. Why’d she stop so suddenly? Internally, she wailed, Your Highness, there’s no need to show me such gentle restraint! Please, don’t hold back—ravish me to your heart’s content!
“Hmm?” Seeing Yao Xi staring up at her with a face written all over with yearning, Wan Bi felt a sudden itch in her own heart. “What is it?”
Yao Xi felt a burning heat rising within her. At this very moment, she wanted nothing more than to pin the Empress Dowager down onto the bed. “That ten thousand taels of silver… can I put it on my tab for now?”
“No.” Wan Bi laughed, wrapping her arms around Yao Xi’s waist. She leaned down to kiss her once more, gently nibbling on her lips as she murmured, “An opera troupe’s coming to the palace today. Do you want to go watch?”
Realizing that Her Highness had absolutely no intention of taking her to bed right now, Yao Xi had no choice but to suppress her desires reluctantly. The palace was always so dreary; a visit from an opera troupe would bring some welcome excitement.
Before her transmigration, there’d been far too many forms of entertainment, so she’d never listened to traditional opera. After arriving in the Sun family, her sister-in-law Liu-shi had occasionally sent her to the tea gardens to fetch Sun Ergou. Whenever Sun Ergou was in the grip of his gambling addiction, he’d refuse to leave immediately. To delay returning home where she’d only be ordered about by Liu-shi to do other chores, she’d sit in the tea gardens and listen to a few performances.
It was during those moments that she’d first begun to appreciate the appeal of opera. Later on, whenever she had the chance, she’d use the excuse of looking for Sun Ergou to slip away to the tea gardens, primarily because she’d become utterly infatuated with Tao Xiaolin, who performed daomadan1 roles there at the time.
“I do!” Yao Xi answered cheerfully. “Before entering the palace, listening to opera was this slave’s absolute favorite pastime.”
“Is that so?” Wan Bi cast a sidelong glance at Yao Xi, a trace of displeasure flickering across her face. “Then our young eunuch must have spent quite some silver to support a favorite performer?”
Yao Xi nodded with a silly grin. She’d indeed been quite a fangirl, though she’d been dirt-poor at the time and could only offer moral support rather than actual financial patronage. If she ever got the chance to hear Miss Tao perform again, she, as a loyal fan, would definitely gift her a few of the finest daomadan costumes. “Those who are invited to perform in the palace must all be renowned artists. Perhaps this slave has even heard of them.”
“You’ll certainly recognize them; they’re all long-established masters. However, there’s a relatively new name called Tao Xiaolin, who’s currently taking the city by storm.” Wan Bi seated herself before her vanity mirror and said to Yao Xi, “Summon the attendants to help this bereaved one wash and dress.”
Yao Xi stood dazed for a moment. Miss Tao has become a famous star? As expected, gold would eventually shine. She felt the giddy pride of seeing her obscure favorite idol finally recognized by the mainstream, mixed with a tiny pang of possessive disappointment that her hidden treasure was now known to everyone.
“Eunuch!” Seeing Yao Xi standing there in a daze, Wan Bi reached out and poked her gently in the stomach. “Hurry up and go!”
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