Chapter 1418 - 770: A Touch of Sweetness (Double Chapter) (2)

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Yi knew he couldn't stay any longer. Before leaving, he picked up some candy from the bedside, peeled a piece, and handed it to her, saying, "Eat."

Lin Wanxiao found it difficult to refuse and ate it.

"Is it sweet?"

The candy was of course sweet, and Lin Wanxiao nodded and said, "Sweet."

"Then I shall treat you even sweeter in the future."

After speaking, Chen Yi smiled, gently stroked her head, and stood up to leave.

Lin Wanxiao was taken aback, her heart thumping unexpectedly, her ears flushed with warmth.

The door was gently closed, making an almost inaudible click.

The room returned to silence, leaving only Lin Wanxiao.

She maintained a half-reclining posture, the candy in her mouth slowly dissolving, its sweet taste spreading across her tongue.

She thought,

A small act of kindness,

...perhaps it's somewhat likable.

......…

...............

Cold wind stirred the palace lanterns, their shadows flickering in the empty corridors. Even during the day, the palace corridor lights remained lit, colorful ribbons hung between the trees, vibrantly welcoming the new year, showing the palace's grandeur.

This year, the Empress Dowager, mindful of the people's hardships, reduced many extravagant expenses, causing all officials to shed tears and submit documents praising her.

Despite the chaos caused by the White Lotus Sect creating havoc in Hu-Guang, a white fox was said to gaze at the moon in Taishan, an auspicious sign showing the Empress Dowager's virtues moving the heavens. Even with the young Emperor ruling, the revival of Great Yu's governance is not far off.

"Another year has arrived."

Her phoenix robe swaying slightly as she paused and spoke.

"...Your Majesty, it's already a new year," Consort Dong softly reminded.

The Empress An seemed indifferent, simply smiling faintly, saying, "I feel as if I still live in yesterday; it seems I've grown old."

This comment was challenging to respond to, yet the amiable Goryeo woman smiled sweetly and said, "I thought I was older than Your Majesty, thinking I lived during the rule of the Grand Ancestor."

The Empress An narrowed her phoenix eyes, saying, "You truly do have a flattering nature."

"I speak boldly; when the Lord is wise, the minister speaks honestly, and it's a blessing for the nation."

"Bold, daring to agree to such words."

"I am indeed bold, with nothing to fear."

Compared to before, Consort Dong was very perceptive, this manner developed since that person left the capital. A woman from a small country learns quickly to lower her sleeves, bow her head, and be understanding.

Thinking of this, Empress An couldn't help but praise, "You're quite perceptive."

Consort Dong raised her face, smiling brightly, just about to respond chicly.

"When he left the capital that year, why were you then not perceptive?"

Consort Dong lowered her head, not daring to respond to this.

Empress An did not press further, stepping gently, and Consort Dong silently following behind.

Upon returning to Jingren Palace, Consort Dong ought to have retreated, but Empress An didn't order her away, so she entered alongside.

Inside, the dragon lantern burned intensely, exuding warmth, in stark contrast to the biting chill outside.

Empress An removed her heavy cloak and handed it to a palace attendant, sitting behind the expansive purple sandalwood desk.

On the desk, official documents, secret reports, and various submissions piled high, but instead of burying herself in them immediately, she leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes for a moment.

Consort Dong couldn't help but quietly speculate on the Empress Dowager's intent.

She was uncertain if the previous statement arose spontaneously or held deeper meaning.

Her life now depended on others, leaving her no choice but to be cautious.

After some time, Empress An opened her eyes, her fingers brushing over the various documents until suddenly stopping at a seemingly ordinary cyan-covered secret report.

The report bore markings from the Astronomical Bureau.

Although the Astronomical Bureau was responsible for astronomy and calendar matters, observing celestial phenomena, and not directly involved in governance, its results, especially abnormal celestial events, or star changes, often became tools in court power struggles or... some secretive hints.

Now, as Prince Jing Mansion and the civil ministers retreated one after another, the Astronomical Bureau had wholly fallen under the control of Jingren Palace.

Empress An picked up the report; the seal had long been broken.

Inside wasn't an elaborate discourse, only a thin sheet of plain paper filled with the Astronomical Bureau's proprietary, slightly cryptic observational terminology, interspersed with sentences resembling prophecies that common people might find puzzling, dismissing them as typical astronomical projections.

But the Empress An's gaze paused and lingered on a particular line, even though she had seen it before, she couldn't help but read it again,

She said, "Come forward, have a look."

Consort Dong stepped forward as instructed, glancing swiftly at the paper...

[Southern Border division, guest stars infringe the host, light is dim and uncertain, yet purple aura appears hidden, foretelling a dragon and serpent rising on land. Especially as traces of last year's malignant star reappear, energy and position... near Dragon Tail City.]

The malignant star of last year.

She knew who it was, a veiled reference to Chen Yi in the Astronomical Bureau, now often referred to on court discussion as "Chen Ni" or "the rebel Chen Yi."

Consort Dong knew Empress An never ceased searching for him; although often there was no news, occasionally, ambiguous and unverifiable situations were documented and reported.

Consort Dong raised her eyes, the light from the lamps flickering before her, casting Empress Dowager's profile in half light and half shadow.

"He appears in Southern Border, should I set out again?" Consort Dong tested the waters.

Though it might seem like delivering a gift across a thousand miles, staying with this woman was indeed stifling, with form being emptiness and emptiness being form, it wouldn't hinder the path to enlightenment.

"No need, he's in Western Jin now," Empress An calmly replied.

Consort Dong hesitated, questioning, "How do you know, Your Majesty?"

"He will go to Western Jin."

Their words were unwavering, seemingly beyond doubt.