Zheng Liu continues to lean against the pillar with his eyes closed, turning a deaf ear, Gui Wan also could not do anything about it, even if she continues calling out to him, he would still ignore her, she could only sit on another stone bench by the stone table, enduring the chilly spring air as she waits. Fortunately, it is a flourishing time of newly sprung flowers, the wind brushing against her face carries a very faint fragrance of sweetness, just sitting here in company, for a long time, they spent their time each enjoying their own entertainment.
Not knowing how much time has passed by, from afar one can see a purple shadow approaching, upon closer inspection, it is Li gong-gong, that face that usually appears very detestable to her, right now, because he is the solution to her dilemma, Gui Wan actually feels delighted, faintly smiling as she waits for him to jog up to the pavilion.
Li gong-gong upon seeing Gui Wan here, was slightly stunned, his face not looking happy, and also appears a little complex: “Your majesty……your majesty……”
Slowly opening his eyes, Zheng Liu appears to be high spirits, opening his mouth in asking: “What’s the matter?”
“Your majesty, Minister of Punishments, Minister of Personnel, Minister of Labour, these several senior officials are waiting to be summoned outside Yu Shu Hall, stating that there are urgent matters to address.”
“Oh?” Zheng Liu seems a little interested, “What do these old ministers want to do now?”
Raising his head, Li gong-gong’s eyes were signalling that there is an outsider present, thus making it inconvenient to answer, but actually sees Zheng Liu smiling with hidden intentions, illustrating his approval, greatly startled, he rapidly glances over Gui Wan, once again bowing his head, “They are objecting your majesty’s establishing of the central academy, specially coming here to put forward their advices.”
Standing up, Zheng Liu straightens out his clothing, turning his head to the side, he smiles in asking: “Madam, say, should I or should I not go see them?”
Originally thinking she could get away whilst they discuss matters, who would have known that she would actually be questioned by Zheng Liu regarding such matters, the establishing of this academy holds the motives of him gathering his imperial power, the senior officials of the imperial court’s unwillingness is also reasonable, in discretion, she replies saying: “Your majesty, haste does not bring success.”
Eyes darkening, Zheng Liu gathers up his chilly air, staring at Gui Wan for a while, the comfortable smile leaving his face.
Being tormented for a half the day, both of Gui Wan’s legs had gone a little numb, watching Zheng Liu and Li gong-gong leave from afar, a few words still drifts towards her within the wind, Li gong-gong sows discord, discrediting her own words. But Gui Wan was not angered, deep inside she was considering, a strategy to get rid of this Li gong-gong. Thinking for a long time, she already has everything planned out[1], standing up to return to the palace.
Originally thinking that this little episode was just a whimsical move of the Emperor’s, and will naturally pass away after going through it, who would have known that all of this is but only the start of her suffering. Up to this point after a few days, the Emperor actually graces the Empress’ Palace Hall, wanting her to accompany them on the same table without exception, not that they did anything in particular, only chatting, enjoying tea, playing the zither, reciting poetry, drinking wine, painting, everything done on the whim, randomly without plan.
Following that, the Emperor got more and more quieter by the day, yet she felt more and more flustered by the day, her heart hung high up, coping with his occasional aesthetic mood, towards his intentions, she became increasingly confused, unable to find the relevance.
“Madam Lou,” A palace maid walks up to the inner chamber, reporting, “The imperial sedan has arrived, may Madam go to the outer courtyard in accompaniment to enjoy the flowers.”
Again? Gui Wan puts aside the book, her face showing a look of resentment, leisurely getting up, she follows the palace maid and heads outside, her heart muttering her complains, what exactly does he want to do now?
With the palace maid she walks out of the hall, at the end of the corridor they run into the Empress, Gui Wan slows down her pace, the Empress that has always been carrying a cosy smile these past few days, held a face of no emotions right now, the moment their eyes met, she diverts her eyes away, lips slightly parts but closes again, pausing with hesitance, but in the end no words comes out of her mouth, her gracefulness tenses up and relaxes again as she flutters past.
Such silent stuffiness hits Gui Wan with deep feelings more so than that of speaking out loud, sounding a lamenting sigh. Walking along the corridors, turning a corner of the corridor, before she had even stepped into the garden, Li gong-gong’s voice already reaches her ears: “Your majesty, the plans of the central academy has come down to nothing……this Lou Che is indeed abominable……” Once half of his words were spoken, he sees the palace maid and Gui Wan’s figures, he immediately shuts his mouth, standing to one side.
Gui Wan gazes over, Zheng Liu sits in the garden, golden robes and embroidered belt, a hand supporting his jaw, pouring for himself as he drinks, looking pleasant and content. A few days of close communication, she is fully aware this person’s sense of joy and anger cannot possibly be detected with common sense, Li gong-gong’s words just now still lingering the ear, her mind tightens up her awareness level, stepping into the garden, smiling, she bows in greeting, “May our Emperor live and reign for ten thousand years.”
Hand half tilting, the cup spilling out a few drops of heavenly wine, Zheng Liu raises his eyes, “Madam needs not be so courteous.”
Hearing that elegant yet lazy tone of speech, she faintly senses his extremely poor mood. Gui Wan regulates her breathing, from the corner of her eyes, she sees Li gong-gong’s cold smile, an appearance of taking pleasure in other people’s misfortunes, this even more confirms her speculations. In fact, since early this morning, she has already received the news from De Yu, Lou Che leaving the Capital has been confirmed, the Emperor’s plans to establish the central academy has abruptly been rejected through a petition from the military governors, one can only imagine the annoyance in his heart right now.
“Madam, come accompany me in drinking a cup.” Raising the jade cup that had already been placed on the table, personally filling up the cup, he beckons Gui Wan over.
There is only one seat by the table, Gui Wan had no choice but to sit down, accepting the cup personally filled by the Son of Heaven, unable to help but to feel somewhat anxious; the jade cup comes in contact with her lips, icy cold, the soft liquor trails down her throat, warmth running into her body, lightly tasting up to there, she places down the cup, praising: “Mellow and not strong, fragrance oozing into the heart, Xi Fu Feng Xiang, indeed lives up to its reputation.”
“Madam has great wine taste, one drink and you can make out the wine flavour.”
Gui Wan secretly found it laughable deep inside, the tribute wine sent into the palace this year, was prepared by the Prime Minister Estate, just that the abundance of Xi Feng wine jars were particularly unique, only because of this did she pay more attention in remembering it, and can also causally speak of it right now.
“This year Yong Zhou paid tribute with seven jars of Xi Feng wines, said it is Xi Fu Feng Xiang, Long Ao Jiu Tian, of unspeakable value.” The corner of Zheng Liu’s lips raises up, exhibiting a feeling of pleasure, half squinting his eyes, those orbs locked onto Gui Wan, “Only today did I find out, amongst the seven jars, two jars have already entered the Prime Minister Estate’s wine cellar.” (Xī Fǔ Fèng Xiáng / 西府凤翔 — Phoenix circling the air above the west estate; Lóng Áo Jiǔ Tiān / 龙翱九天 — Dragon soaring the nine heavens)
“Your majesty is the monarch of yesterday and tomorrow[2], possessing the entire world, why would you care about a mere two jars of wine?” Gui Wan smiles as she answers with ease.
“Seven jars of Xi Feng wine, the Prime Minister Estate owns a share of two jars; I possess the entire world, don’t know whether the Prime Minister Estate also wants to take a piece of the share?” A sharp flash sweeps past his orbs, he stares into Gui Wan’s eyes with gentleness lightly floating on the surface, but is also hidden with unlimited feistiness and biting chills.
The wine that she has drank is like a little ball of fire in her stomach, warming up her entire body, but being stared at by Zheng Liu like that, waves of chills runs through her. Gui Wan raises the wine flask on the table, gently pouring him some wine into his empty cup, seeing the translucent colour of the liquid within the cup, she laughs like the refreshing breeze, one hand holding the cup, one hand supporting the bottom, she slowly delivers it to Zheng Liu, “Your majesty, legend says Yong Zhou is the land the phoenix is born from, phoenix circling the skies of the nine heavens, hundreds of birds entering the court, that is the true Son of Heaven. No matter how many birds there are within the woods, could it be that they can rob the phoenix off its elegance? Your majesty is worrying too much.”
Zheng Liu gaze remains locked onto Gui Wan, observing her expression, that elegant smile fades away, seeming to be thinking over her words, shortly after, a faint smile finally spreads, so pure it cannot possibly provoke mixed thoughts. Extending his hand to accept the cup of wine being delivered from across the table, right when Gui Wan’s hand was about to let go of the cup, he abruptly hooks onto her fine