Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 634 Arriving at the Imperial Palace of the Sunset Kingdom: The Violent Side (4)
The emperor of Luo had already moved in with two extremely beautiful women into ’Zhaoxia Palace’, and the news spread quickly throughout the Imperial Palace. Several concubines from the back palace sent people to inquire about the news, but alas, the grand hall doors remained firmly shut; they could see nothing of the people or things inside and returned dejectedly.
After resting for a day and a night in the harem of Sunset Kingdom, Feng Xuxu finally came to her senses. It just so happened to be the first day of the month, and thinking that her purpose here wasn’t to tour the palaces of the Luo Kingdom or to live in luxury, she saw that the weather outside was clear. Why not look for the emperor of Luo to discuss a visit to the barren lands? She might as well stroll through the Imperial Garden and examine the soil quality there. With that thought, she decided to take action.
When Yingsu learned that her mistress wanted to go out, she quickly returned to the room to fetch a heavy cloak and draped it over her. Then she led Xiao Jiazhen and Yingsu, as well as Mei Lenglei, out of the palace gate. The captain of the Iron Cavalry Army’s small unit wanted to follow, but Feng Xuxu refused, arguing that it would be embarrassing for the emperor of Luo, since they were in his Imperial Palace. The Iron Cavalry Army obediently retreated, and Feng Xuxu followed a narrow path outside the palace.
"Cousin-in-law, do you know how to get to the Imperial Study?" Jiazhen walked by her cousin-in-law’s side, turning to look at the imposing palaces around her, her face alternating between excitement and worry.
Feng Xuxu shook her head. She hadn’t even fully explored her own harem, let alone that of another country’s. Even if she didn’t know, that wouldn’t stop her from wandering around; she could always find a palace maid or eunuch to ask. Besides, she was sure that the emperor’s spies were plentiful inside the palace.
"We can walk and admire our surroundings while being observant. After all, we’re in the Luo Kingdom now, so there’s no rush." She patted her hand reassuringly.
But Jiazhen blushed, taking small steps beside her cousin-in-law, her eyes darting back and forth to the palace’s red walls with green tiles.
They walked along a long path paved with cobblestones, flanked by tall red walls. At the end of the path lay a large red gate. Passing through the gate, they entered a vast space with rockeries, corridors, and gardens. Feng Xuxu wondered if this was the Imperial Garden, her heart filled with doubt as she led them forward. Just then, a group of palace maids happened to pass by, with the one in front looking like the leader, full of pride, and clearly dressed in finer clothes than the others. Feng Xuxu glanced back, and Yingsu stood up to intercept the group of palace maids.
"Who are you, daring to obstruct my path?" Liu Pan glared with angled eyes at the newcomer.
Yingsu frowned, but remembering they were in the palace of the Luo Kingdom, she didn’t react to the arrogance but continued in a conciliatory tone, "Where is the Imperial Study?"
Liu Pan gave her a sidelong glance, then turned to look at the several people not far away, becoming slightly suspicious. Perhaps these were the new people the emperor had brought back. When she looked at Yingsu, her face strangely twisted into a smile, "How would a mere maid like me know where the Imperial Study is? As you can see, I am just a maid who delivers clothes." With that, she stepped aside to let Yingsu see the clothes in the hands of the maids behind her.
"Then, where is the Imperial Garden?" It might be reasonable for a laundry maid not to know the location of the Imperial Study, but she surely must know where the Imperial Garden was.
"Oh, the Imperial Garden? It’s just up ahead. Do you see that swath of plum blossoms? That’s where it is." After speaking, she bowed apologetically and turned to leave.
Yingsu looked up and indeed saw a swath of plum blossoms. She turned back to her mistress, "Milady, the laundry maid wasn’t clear on where the Imperial Study is located, but she said the Imperial Garden is right up ahead, not far from here."
Feng Xuxu nodded slightly, "Lead the way ahead."
"Yes."
Yingsu led the way at an unhurried pace, and when the four of them passed through the arch-shaped Moon Gate, a wave of plum fragrance hit their nostrils. As far as the eye could see, the entire Plum Forest was a sea of red plum blossoms, each one blooming furiously.
"I didn’t expect to find such a scene in the Imperial Garden. It seems that the harem under my management is lagging behind," Feng Xuxu remarked with a sigh.
"Your Highness, have you forgotten? We have the Warm Pavilion, and even in winter, the Imperial Garden still boasts a multitude of blooming flowers," Mei Lenglei said with a light smile.
Feng Xuxu smiled noncommittally. The four wove their way through the Plum Forest, leaving the pink plum blossoms behind and arriving at a section with green plum blossoms. Feng Xuxu was quite surprised. She remembered her residence having some green plum blossoms. She recalled Dugu Chen telling her that the plum blossoms were brought back from the Sunset Kingdom, and it seemed he was right.
While looking at a branch laden with vibrant green blossoms, Feng Xuxu was struck with a sudden fancy to make a specimen. Just as she plucked a blossom and was admiring it, she heard a group of people approaching from deep within the forest. The four looked up to see a woman, dressed in pink, walking toward them. Her clothes were embroidered with many plum blossoms, and she exuded an aura of purity. Though her beauty was not immediately apparent, hers was the kind that was enduring. At this point, if Feng Xuxu didn’t understand, she would indeed be foolish; this was clearly not just the Imperial Garden, but rather the palace of one of the concubines.
"How audacious, who allowed you to enter? Upon seeing Lady Hua, do you not kneel and pay respects?" the maid beside the pink-clad woman scolded loudly.
Jiazhen, upon hearing what the Palace Maid said, also understood and took a step back to stand beside her cousin, her eyes fixed on the silent Lady Hua.
At that moment, not only did the maid notice the green plum in Feng Xuxu’s hand, but Lady Hua, the Palace Maids, and the eunuch behind her saw it as well. They watched with schadenfreude as Feng Xuxu and her companions were caught.
"You’ve certainly got some nerve, daring to pick the plum blossoms of Plum Garden. These were all personally planted by our Lady. Usually, she can’t even bear to touch them. Yet you, so bold, dare to break a branch. Hmph, do you think you’re even worthy of holding that green plum?" Saying this with indignation, she took large strides towards Feng Xuxu, intent on forcefully taking the branches from Feng Xuxu’s hand. But before she could reach her, Mei Lenglei kicked her away with a swift move.
"What are you, daring to speak to our Lady like that? Scram." Then she raised her eyes to the crowd and shouted, "If you can’t speak properly, keep your mouth shut. Find someone who can speak like a human being."
Feng Xuxu looked at Mei Lenglei in surprise, bewildered by her rage. She had always seen Mei Lenglei as a gentle person, steady in her actions, mature, and reliable; qualities Feng Xuxu greatly admired. Yet she had not expected Mei Lenglei to have such a violent side.
