Chapter 24: The Empress Dowager and Her Young Substitute Lover

Although it is said that one should share their life with only one person, Wei He eventually took other consorts—partly to maintain the stability of the imperial court, and certainly to keep the plot moving. The aspirations of the past had vanished, and the once-abundant literary talent had been reduced to mere schemes and maneuvers against the women of the harem.

Hua Yue was unsure of what her future held. But for now, looking at Wan Jinyu, whose eyes were bright with youthful spirit, she gave a slight smile.

"I think your ambitions are quite admirable, though... Wei He likely wouldn't agree."

Only then did Wan Jinyu realize what she had said. A flicker of panic crossed her face, and she stood up to kneel. "It was my slip of the tongue. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me."

Hua Yue stood up, her beautiful skirt sweeping past Wan Jinyu’s vision. She reached out with a pair of slender, fair hands, elegant and tipped with delicate henna. "Rise. What are you panicking about?"

Her voice was gentle. For a brief moment, Wan Jinyu felt an impulse to rest her hand upon hers. She took a quiet breath, stood up, and took a step back. With her eyes lowered, she said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I wonder how you wish to arrange the banquet?"

Hua Yue raised an eyebrow. "There is no rush for that. Let us continue our previous conversation. I think your ideas are excellent. Do go on—rest assured, Heaven knows, the earth knows, and only you and I shall know."

She winked at Wan Jinyu. Wan Jinyu was stunned.

[Host! What are you doing?]

"Discussing the Spring Banquet, of course."

[...We don't look like we're doing that at all!]

"That’s just because your eyes are bad."

After dismissing her system, Hua Yue looked at Wan Jinyu with a smile.

"Your Majesty, do you really think so?"

"Of course," Hua Yue replied with great sincerity.

...

...

"How much longer do they intend to talk?"

Outside the hall, Qing Li was startled by the voice that suddenly appeared.

"Young Master Wen?"

The man was dressed entirely in black, his expression dark and gloomy. He had appeared at her side at some point, holding something in his hand... A rose? It was made of wood, looking incredibly exquisite and delicate.

"When did you arrive?"

Wei Yan kept his lips pressed tightly together, his eyes fixed straight ahead, saying nothing.

Qing Li: "..."

What kind of look was that? Could he be suspecting...

Qing Li turned her head stiffly, looking at the two people inside the hall who were enjoying such a lively conversation, and her face crumpled. She raised her hand to bite her fingertip. Wei Yan hadn't said a word, and she hadn't felt anything amiss until now. But seeing him like this, she suddenly felt that something was wrong. Could it be that her mistress...

Inside the hall, Wan Jinyu had never spoken so much with anyone before. As her throat grew dry, a cup of tea was placed before her.

"Th-thank you, Your Majesty." She took it carefully.

Hua Yue shook her head. "Why so formal? We can consider ourselves confidantes now."

The two shared a smile.

Wan Jinyu thought: The Empress Dowager is truly such a wonderful person.

Hua Yue thought: This heroine is so easy to trick—no, not just looks easy, she really is easy to trick.

*Creak—*

Qing Li turned her head, looked down, and her eyes widened instantly. She saw the rose from earlier being crushed by Wei Yan’s grip, falling into several separate parts. Wei Yan watched the two in the hall, his eyes turning red. Qing Li actually felt a bit sorry for him.

"Ahem, Young Master Wen, are you alright?"

"I am perfectly fine," Wei Yan gritted his teeth. Yet, his hands didn't stop, his fingers dancing rapidly as he reassembled the rose to its original state.

Qing Li: "..."

Yes, he certainly looked like he was "fine."

"Young Master Wen, please rest assured. Her Majesty is always kind-hearted. Even if you fall out of favor, she won't treat you poorly."

"Fall out of favor?" Wei Yan snapped his gaze toward Qing Li, his phoenix eyes flashing with a chilling light. Qing Li instinctively fell silent.

Wei Yan looked away and strode toward the two women. Qing Li came to her senses. "Young Master Wen, you cannot enter. Her Majesty is discussing important matters with Minister Wan." Despite being frightened by Wei Yan just moments ago, Qing Li tried her best to block him.

"Move aside," Wei Yan said coldly.

Qing Li spread her arms to block his path and said quickly, "Her Majesty gave orders: if you were to come, you should wait in the side hall."

Wei Yan stopped. Just then, Hua Yue’s gaze turned toward them, her beautiful, enchanting face still wearing a smile. It was stunning. Wei Yan felt a rare sense of grievance. How could she neglect him for another man?

"Sister..."

Before he could finish, he saw Hua Yue make a gesture, signaling him to go to the side hall. Wei Yan pursed his lips, gripped the wooden rose tightly, and refused to move an inch.

Hua Yue narrowed her eyes.

Wei Yan felt as if he were grinding his own teeth to dust, but he had no choice but to obey and leave. Before turning away, he gave Wan Jinyu’s back a fierce glare. Could a skinny, weakling of a fellow who hadn't even grown into his own skin really compete with him?

Hua Yue: "..."

Wan Jinyu turned around in confusion, seeing only the back of Wei Yan as he hurried away. She had heard rumors that this young and beautiful Empress Dowager had kept a male favorite before the late Emperor passed away. Well, it was only natural.

Hua Yue smiled. "Let us stop here for today. I will have to trouble you with the upcoming Spring Banquet."

"I would not dare, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost."

...

...

Meanwhile, although Wei Yan was in the side hall, his ears were already straining toward the main hall. His eyes were constantly observing, and the moment he saw Wan Jinyu leave, he stepped out.

He ran into Qing Li. He narrowed his eyes. "Are you going to stop me again?"

Qing Li: "...Her Majesty asked me to summon Young Master Wen."

What had she done to deserve this? He didn't even have the skill to secure her mistress's heart. She rolled her eyes.

Wei Yan, who eerily understood the meaning behind Qing Li’s disdainful expression: "..."

Sooner or later, he would have this annoying maid transferred away.

...

...

"Sister, a gift for you."

Wei Yan walked up to Hua Yue, beaming. The gloomy look from before was completely gone, leaving Qing Li dumbfounded. Could this person change his face at will? Qing Li thought she should submit a recommendation; this Young Master Wen was definitely not a good person, and keeping him by the Empress Dowager’s side might lead to trouble.

Hua Yue took the gift. It was an exquisite mechanical rose; she could see the effort the carver had put into it.

"Sister, turn the stem." Wei Yan said, as if presenting a treasure.

Hua Yue blinked and turned it as he suggested.

*Click—*

The petals slowly bloomed, revealing the stamen inside, upon which her own small portrait was engraved.

Hua Yue: "..."

How should she put it? Was it ingenious? Yes. Was it beautiful? Yes. But did it feel a bit strange?

Wei Yan’s voice was clear and magnetic, carrying a gentle, fawning tone. "Do you like it?"

"I like it."

"Then do you like me, or do you like it?" Wei Yan asked pointedly.

Hua Yue twisted the stem again, returning the rose to its original state.

"I like it." She shook the rose.

Wei Yan: "..."

He wrapped his arms around Hua Yue’s slender waist, turned, and sat her on the table so that their eyes were level. Seeing Hua Yue’s calm and unruffled expression, Wei Yan felt incredibly stifled.

"Sister, what would it hurt to like me just a little? Can't you even coax me?"

Seeing this, Qing Li covered her eyes and retreated.

Hua Yue raised an eyebrow, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on Wei Yan’s lips.

"Alright, I'll coax you."