Chapter 204 - The New Imperial Concubine 1
Chapter 204 – The New Imperial Concubine 1
The Emperor's palace, the Emperor's living room.
Emperor Zhong picked up the freshly drafted rolled-up Imperial decree lying on the stool beside his throne and handed it over to Cuihong. He glanced at Lu Yaozhu, which was all Cuihong needed. Holding the Decree, he went down the stairs and passed the decree to Lu Yaozhu. He went back up the low stairs and stood behind the Emperor.
Lu Yaozhu looked down at the scroll with a wrinkled eyebrow, he didn't understand the reasoning behind this move made by the Emperor. He didn't understand why the Emperor would invite him into the palace first thing in the morning and even provide him with breakfast only to hand him a decree.
"Your Majesty this_" Lu Yaozhu said as he unrolled the decree, he paused as his eyes caught the first few sentences. Each word was like bricks dropped from a distance on his back. It rolls of sentences each containing veiled threats written on the high-quality Imperial issued paper used for drafting Imperial decrees.
Emperor Zhong looked down at him and said, "Your younger brother has been writing the Imperial examination for close to eight years. This year is his last chance or he could let go of any dreams of becoming a government official. With his upcoming wedding, he has a lot to lose. Drop that foolish dreams of retirement and remain in the capital or your brother can forget about the Imperial Examination and look into starting a business".
Lu Yaozhu's hands on both sides of the spread-out scroll shook as his grip tightened on each end. He immediately tried to contain his anger, it took a lot of control not to let his anger show to the Emperor. He could only glance away, ball up his fist and count to them in his mind. He failed to register anything else the Emperor said next, as far as he was concerned everything said within the next minute would be detrimental to his sanity.
Within Lu Yaozhu it was like the Emperor dragged him around by the neck. He had unknowingly let down his guard and this was the result. Emperor Zhong glanced down at the quiet younger man and pursed his lips. When he failed to receive any response from Lu Yaozhu after some seconds he took the initiative to say a few more words.
"You don't have to give me an answer, Yaozhu. Take two days to think and give me an answer after two days".
Lu Yaozhu rolled up the scroll and bent his head low, there was no other way out he could think of. The Emperor had successfully thought of a good way to make him stay back, he did not doubt that the Emperor would make good on his threat. Lu Yaozhu flexed his finger while silently tapping his foot.
After some thought, his hands tightened on the scroll and stood. Emperor Zhong sat straighter as he walked forward, he was expecting to dismiss Lu Yaozhu but was surprised when instead of giving his final greetings and Leaving. Lu Yaozhu fell on both knees, held the scroll forward and bowed to the ground.
"This prince thanks, his Majesty for his good thoughts. I will retract my request for a retirement as soon as possible".
Emperor Zhong smiled, he was glad that Lu Yaozhu didn't make things any harder for him and was reasonable. "There is no need for that, I think it is a good idea to resign from active duty. We are short of administrators and ministers, you should assume a more political position such as taking over the ministry of justice".
Lu Yaozhu breathing paused as he heard that, he had never thought there would be a day his majesty would consider putting him in a position of power. Emperor Zhong was unaware of Lu Yaozhu's thoughts not like it mattered since his mind had begun working overtime to determine the best office to place his long lost son under. He wanted an office that would offer him a good opportunity to work closely with Lu Yaozhu.
Emperor Zhong glanced down at Lu Yaozhu's ink-black head of hair and smiled. " you go back, Yaozhu. I will send word once I have made my decision."
"Yes," Lu Yaozhu replied and retreated. He walked briskly heads down as a storm brewed inside his mind. He maintained a calm expression until he got back to the Lu Family, he ignored the greetings from the attending maids. Pausing at the door of his study, he breathed in deeply, eyes shut before saying to Yu Tai who followed him closely Silently.
Yu Tao didn't follow him into the Emperor's Living room, he wasn't allowed inside and instead stood outside the door waiting for his master to be dismissed. He stepped into line behind Lu Yaozhu as soon as he stepped out of the Emperor's palace.
Throughout the ride back to the Duke's mansion, Lu Yaozhu was quiet. He didn't even react when Yu Tao reported anything to him. However, Lu Yaozhu picked up his swords soon as he got back from the palace and left for the training ground a few short distances away from his courtyard. Yaozhu went into heavy training for the next two hours, he went at it until his muscles were sore and he was covered in sweat.
Yu Tao said nothing and instead stood at the side carrying the wet towels, water and other necessities his master would need at the end of this heavy session. A few minutes into the training, the news of Lu Yaozhu's bad mood had spread around. Rong Rong reported the situation to Su Liya as soon as she heard the talk.
Su Liya was taken aback as soon as she heard that because this was the first time it was happening. Lu Yaozhu wasn't temperamental, it was difficult to get this sort of response from him. Which made her more worried especially since this reaction came after a visit to the palace.
Su Liya paced around her room, hitting her lip gently as she tried to think of a way to get Lu Yaozhu out of the slump he had found himself in. After some thought, she finally settled on the one thing she thought would get the job done. Su Liya glanced at Rong Rong, "instruct the cook to make some sweet pastry….. or better let's make it ourselves. That is much better, as for the beverage… I think wine is a better option"
"I will go earlier and make the arrangements at the kitchen while you and Baozhai-jei get ready," Rong Rong said, Su Liya did not see anything wrong with her statement and just nodded. Some minutes later Su Liya left for the kitchen with Baozhai.
Two hours later, Lu Yaozhu walked down the hallway from his private bathroom and into his bedroom. Lu Yaozhu held a soft cotton towel to his wet hair, running the towel through his neck and dabbing his hair gently as he walked into his bedroom. The scent of hotcakes made him pause, his eyes immediately fell on the tray of hot snacks and jar of end on the tea table at the centre of the room.
He glanced to the window and saw a slim petite female standing by the window. His lips tugged up at the sight, he turned to Yu Tao who followed him inside. He had opened his mouth to dismiss Yu Tao when the taller male beat him to it.
"I won't take any more of your time, your Highness", Yu Tao bowed and retreated. Su Liya turned around and leaned by the window as she heard that. She smiled sweetly at him, "I hope you don't mind, I came in while you were in the bathroom."
"I don't mind, you know I cannot say nor to siege treats or you" Lu Yaozhu grinned, hanging the towel on his neck, he walked towards the tea-table. He pulled back a seat and sat, picking up a cake and taking a bite while resting both elbows on the table. He watched as her cheek lit up, the sight always made his heart tingle a little. He watched her step away from the wall and walk to the table.
Lu Yaozhu picked up and cake and brought it to her lip when she was seated. Su Liya glanced down at the cake and took a small bite. "Eat more, it is all yours", he whispered eyes locked on her. Su Liya chewed carefully, luckily the cake was still warm and very fluffy.
It melted into a very tasty honeyed goodness in her mouth. Su Liya took another bite, this bite was much bigger. Soon it was only a small bit remaining, Lu Yaozhu there it into his mouth and pure to cups of wine. "The snacks are very tasty, thanks for bringing them. It has been a while since we drank hasn't it" he handed a cup to her. "I could use a drink right now. You always know what I want".
Su Liya took a sip of the peach flavoured alcoholic and smiled, "l guess our minds are in sync".
"Among other things," he said eye locked on her plump pink lips, there was a drop of wine on her lips.. Lu Yaozhu stretched out his hand and rubbed the drop of wine away.