Chapter 134: Chapter 134: The Emperor Is Unhappy, and the Consequences Are a Little Serious

Emperor Wu Su slowly rose to his feet.

He reached out to straighten his sleeves and said nonchalantly, "She said she didn’t, and Prince Yong has also denied any relationship between them. Did you hear that clearly, Princess Yong?"

Though his tone seemed casual, his brows were slightly furrowed and his eyelids were half-closed. He resembled a falcon in the cold night, the corners of his eyes radiating a deep chill, as if he could see through everything.

Princess Qingyun glanced at him, shivered, and immediately turned her head back, sitting up straight, afraid of being frozen by this chilling aura.

Ji Qingwu had been watching the Emperor’s every move. She suddenly realized that Emperor Wu Su hadn’t been truly fierce before. This, now, was his true, frosty demeanor on full display.

She quickly picked up the hot tea on the table and took a sip.

Tao Wanxin, still kneeling on the floor, saw the Emperor’s expression and felt the coldness in his eyes was even more frigid than the stone tiles beneath her.

She panicked and stammered, "Your Majesty, I... I was truly deceived by her..."

Emperor Wu Su simply raised his hand slightly. Li Yuzong immediately bowed, hurried forward, and lowered his head to await the Emperor’s decree.

"It seems to me that the Princess Consort is mentally unwell; she can’t even comprehend my words," Emperor Wu Su said, his voice low and majestic.

"Fortunately, the palace has many capable people who can cure such hysteria. Effective immediately, Princess Yong will be moved to Anle Hall. She will reside there until she has given birth."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall, except for Ji Qingwu, had their expressions change drastically.

Prince Yong spoke up in astonishment, "Imperial Brother, Wanyin was indeed at fault, but she could be confined to the Prince Mansion. It’s not so severe as to require her to stay in the palace’s Anle Hall."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment before also pleading, "Your Majesty, Wanyin is still a princess consort, after all. It is likely inappropriate for her to remain in the palace."

As for Princess Qingyun, she was trembling slightly, her body instinctively leaning toward Ji Qingwu as if seeking protection.

Tao Wanxin’s kneeling posture had collapsed into a slump on the floor. She was utterly speechless, her eyes filled with despair.

’Anle Hall... What kind of place is it, exactly?’

’Judging by the name, it sounds like a peaceful palace hall,’ Ji Qingwu thought. ’But everyone’s reaction indicates it’s anything but a good place.’

"Take her away."

Emperor Wu Su left behind those three short words and turned to leave.

The farce had finally ended.

Yin Xiang quietly walked to Prince Yong’s side, only to be harshly rebuked and shooed away by Zhao Minghong, whose face was grim.

His gaze was fixed on Tao Wanxin’s retreating back as she was dragged away. All traces of his usual dashing demeanor were gone; it was as if his very soul had been drained, leaving him looking exceptionally desolate.

The Empress Dowager wearily waved her crimson-purple sleeve, gesturing for the others to leave.

Ji Qingwu had just walked out of the main hall and taken only a few steps when someone called out to her.

"Miss Ji."

She turned in surprise to see Li Yuzong, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household.

"Eunuch Li?"

Li Yuzong said in a low voice, "Please, come with me."

Ji Qingwu felt uneasy. She asked, "May I ask, Eunuch Li, is there some urgent matter? I have been out all day, and my family will be worried."

Li Yuzong replied, "I have already sent Little Dongzi to the Ji Mansion with a message. The Empress Dowager has asked Miss Ji to rest in the palace for the night and return home tomorrow."

’When did the Empress Dowager ask me to stay? It was someone else who wanted me to stay.’

She glanced around and gently refused, "Eunuch Li, I’m afraid this is inappropriate."

Seeing her hesitation, Li Yuzong urged in a low voice, "Miss Ji, don’t waste time here. From what I saw, the Holy Emperor seems to be angry."

When the Emperor had learned that the Empress Dowager was furious and had summoned Ji Qingwu, and after understanding the reasons why, his expression had grown terrifying. He had then immediately decreed for Prince Yong to be brought to the palace.

Ji Qingwu frowned. ’So my feeling earlier was right. He was ignoring me on purpose because he was angry.’

’But with Emperor Wu Su already displeased, why would I go looking for him? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?’

Ji Qingwu’s feet felt as if they were nailed to the ground. She wanted to cry but had no tears, wishing only to go home quickly.

"It wouldn’t do for others to see us. Please, you must come with me now," Li Yuzong said, his face so creased with anxiety that he seemed to have aged years in an instant. The Emperor was already displeased; if he failed to bring her, he wouldn’t be able to answer for it.

He had just finished speaking when a clear voice called out.

"Fifth Cousin!"

Princess Qingyun came running up from behind her.

When she saw who was standing in front of Ji Qingwu, she skidded to a halt. It was none other than Li Yuzong, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household, who was always by the Emperor’s side.

She looked around but didn’t see her Imperial Brother.

Turning back, she saw Grand Steward Li standing before her fifth cousin with a deeply bowed back. Li Yuzong never adopted such a humble posture, not even before her own mother, the Empress Dowager.

Ji Qingwu turned to see her, and her eyes lit up. "Your Highness, did you need me for something?"

Princess Qingyun stopped about a meter away from Ji Qingwu, her eyes on the smiling-tiger-like Li Yuzong.

She said bitterly, "Fifth Cousin, you... you take care. I won’t see you off."

With that, the figure in pinkish-red scurried away, showing no signs of someone who had just recovered from a serious illness.

Seeing this, Li Yuzong urged, "Miss Ji, if you please."

Ji Qingwu followed Eunuch Li, assuming they were headed for the Diligent Governance Hall or Zhaoyang Hall.

However, she followed him for a long way.

The path was winding. The southern corner of the Imperial Garden gradually came into view, appearing before her like a landscape painted in light ink.

They passed the Lotus Pond where the Lu Ming Banquet had been held and arrived at a pavilion by its edge.

Ji Qingwu stared at the pavilion’s entrance. It felt exceptionally familiar; this was where Ji Changlin and the Prince Consort had gotten into a fight last time.

She looked up and saw a rectangular lacquered plaque. The body was a textured gray, framed in black lacquer with red accents. The cloud-and-dragon patterns, traced with gilded relief powder, were astonishingly lifelike.

In the center, the two words "Handan Hall" were carved in semi-cursive script as a sunken relief. The mottled texture from the passage of time only added to its antique and elegant quality.

Li Yuzong said hurriedly, "Miss Ji, the Holy Emperor is inside. Please, go in quickly."

Ji Qingwu took a deep breath and stepped lightly into the hall.

Because the hall housed ancient books and other treasures, it used light-blocking window paper, and no lamps were lit, so the interior was dark and dim.

Ji Qingwu slowed her pace, her eyes wide as she looked around, trying to find the Emperor’s figure.

To her right was a very wide curio shelf. A censer sat on the very top, its burning incense releasing a refreshing, heart-soothing scent of lotus. The curling smoke, however, made it even harder for her to see what lay ahead. She walked toward the shelf.

As she drew closer, she discovered a red sandalwood desk behind the curio shelf, one nearly the size of a bed.

Emperor Wu Su was sitting upright at the desk, his eyes closed in rest.

Ji Qingwu quietly approached until only the desk separated them. The light was dim, but the contours of his face were still clear. His bone structure was deep-set, and an austere air washed over her.

Hearing his long, even breaths, Ji Qingwu couldn’t help but lean forward, closing the distance between them.

She studied him closely. The man’s eyelashes were long and slender, and his exquisitely shaped eyes were slightly upturned at the corners. Even with his eyes closed, he exuded an air of untamable pride.

Recalling his distant and indifferent behavior toward her in Cining Palace, Ji Qingwu pouted, silently expressing her dissatisfaction.

As if sensing her impudence, Emperor Wu Su suddenly opened his eyes.