"This man is truly foolish. Why wait until sixty? He could have taken several wives when he was young. Men should have three wives and four concubines. Such a jealous woman deserves to be divorced, for committing one of the seven grounds for divorce."
Hearing this, Yun Xiao's face turned cold, and she glared at him.
Shangguan Yao looked at her for a moment before speaking in his gentle voice, "Leng Yue, we are both men. Having three wives and four concubines is normal."
However, as he said this, the thought of Leng Yue inevitably taking a wife in the future made him feel stifled. To prevent her from noticing, he covered it with a smile.
This smile only further enraged Yun Xiao. She deliberately put on a cold face. What a pig of a man, so nonchalant about it, and even able to smile. Didn't he know how to sympathize with women?
The atmosphere in the grand hall grew chilly. Shangguan Yao had no idea how he had offended the esteemed Young Master Leng. Yet, seeing her angry didn't make him angry. It seemed she was special to him. In fact, he found her anger to be rather unique.
Amidst her cold fury, Yun Xiao suddenly regained her senses. What was she doing? Her priority was to find a way to swap the Dragon Seal, not to get angry with this man. Wouldn't that be a waste of her energy?
With a thousand thoughts churning in her mind, she finally devised a plan. People say joy is amplified with wine, and she believed that intoxication was the key. If he were drunk, it would be easy. So, she would drink with him; she had plenty of ways to get this man drunk.
If he were drunk, what would he even know? Wouldn't it be possible to swap the Jade Dragon Seal without anyone noticing?
Having thought of a plan, she began to execute it. Yun Xiao feigned a slight frown and said calmly, "Your Majesty, Leng Yue should leave the palace."
"Mm," Shangguan Yao said, displeased by her intention to leave. His expression turned cold. "The hour is still early. Stay and chat with me a while longer."
If he hadn't been afraid of becoming too deeply involved, or of being unable to resist violating him in the middle of the night, he would have wanted to keep him in the palace.
Upon hearing this, Yun Xiao thought it was perfect. She raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, "However, Leng Yue thought Your Majesty might have something requiring my attention, so I came to the palace early and haven't even had dinner. Must I endure hunger?"
Shangguan Yao's expression softened upon hearing this, and he smiled. "So that's how it is. Conveniently, I haven't had dinner either. Come, dine with me."
"This is not appropriate, surely."
Though overjoyed and wanting to leap with delight, as everything was proceeding as she predicted, she had to feign reluctance. This man was far too suspicious.
"This is my command."
Shangguan Yao's face darkened, a layer of frost settling over his handsome features. His thick eyebrows knitted slightly, his dark eyes deep and shadowed. He commanded Xiaotingzi, who was waiting in a corner of the grand hall, "Immediately prepare the dining arrangements at Lianye Pavilion. I wish to dine there."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Lianye Pavilion was situated in the northwest corner of Jingfu Palace, surrounded by gardens, with a fragrant ambiance where one could enjoy the moon while dining.
Xiaotingzi acknowledged the order and quickly went to make arrangements. In the grand hall, Shangguan Yao had already risen and was walking outside with his tall frame.
Yun Xiao followed closely behind him towards Lianye Pavilion. The numerous close eunuchs outside the palace gates followed them to Lianye Pavilion.
Along the way, lanterns hung on both sides of the dragon-and-phoenix-adorned corridors. Palace maids stood guard every few steps. Wherever the Emperor passed, they respectfully lowered their heads and curtsied.
After walking through the corridor and passing several grand pavilions, they saw a small pavilion built high on a raised platform in the distance. Golden wind chimes hung from its four corners, and delicate curtains fluttered, with a pervasive fragrance filling the air, accompanied by the occasional dance of petals.
Figures could be dimly seen moving within the pavilion, presumably palace maids arranging the evening meal. A zither stand had been set up outside the pavilion.
Shangguan Yao led Yun Xiao over. Along the way, the voices of palace maids and eunuchs were continuous.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be safe and well."
Shangguan Yao paid them no mind and continued walking towards Lianye Pavilion. It was only after he had gone a considerable distance that those following behind him gradually rose.
Inside Lianye Pavilion, a luxurious, flowing silk tablecloth was spread over the stone-carved round table, draping down elegantly.
Soft cushions were placed on the stone stools, making them look very comfortable. The table was laden with a feast of palace delicacies, exuding appealing color, aroma, and taste. There was wine and cups; the sight alone made one's appetite surge, especially since Yun Xiao was truly hungry.
After traveling for a day and a night, she had only eaten some dry provisions. Faced with such a table of dishes, she realized she was not entirely devoid of desires. At least after eating dry rations, she longed for something good.
"Come, sit down."
Shangguan Yao saw Yun Xiao gazing at the dishes on the table with longing, clearly very hungry. At this moment, a tender chord was struck in his heart. With a wave of his hand, he coldly ordered,
"All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The palace maids inside Lianye Pavilion retreated, leaving only Xiaotingzi to attend to them personally. Outside the pavilion, the sound of a zither began to play, a faint and melodious tune that was as clear and light as spring water. The imperial zither player was indeed skilled.
Yun Xiao sighed in admiration but then felt a pang of worry. With Xiaotingzi attending them inside the pavilion, how could she possibly succeed? If he were present, the plan to secretly swap the Jade Dragon Seal would be impossible to implement.
Shangguan Yao, unaware of her thoughts, assumed she was being cautious and hesitant to act. He quickly took out his jade tablet and made a gesture, saying, "Come, taste the imperial delicacies. Do they suit your palate?"
Did she not know if the palace's fare suited her palate? But did this man have to say something so disgusting?
Yun Xiao truly wanted to slap him. Why was he looking at her like that? In his eyes now, she was a man, a disgusting fellow.
However, on the surface, she smiled faintly and picked up the jade chopsticks to start eating the dim sum. The palace's delicacies were indeed delicious, so she decided to fill her stomach first and then slowly devise a way to get him to leave.
Yun Xiao, unlike Shangguan Yao, ate elegantly, occasionally moving her chopsticks. She was simply famished and had no regard for her table manners at all. After a period of ravenous eating, her stomach felt somewhat full.
As her movements slowed, she looked up and saw the Emperor opposite her deep in thought. His pupils were as deep as an abyss, making it impossible to fathom his thoughts, yet a glimmer of light still shone within those abyssal pupils.
"Why isn't Your Majesty eating?"
Yun Xiao finally slowed down and asked elegantly.
This elegance was displayed when she wasn't hungry. For someone truly starving, it would be difficult to feign such grace. Thinking of how she had eaten her fill, she felt sympathy for Murong, who was hidden in the shadows and must also be hungry, but she could only endure it.
At this moment, Shangguan Yao lifted the crystal goblet in his hand, raising it slightly, and said slowly, "Leng Yue, accompany me for a drink."
Drinking—this was a good idea. After just a few cups, she would have an opportunity to act. Yun Xiao sneered inwardly and readily agreed, "Alright, Leng Yue thanks Your Majesty for the meal."
Her meal had completely dispelled the Emperor's suspicions. If he had had any reservations before, they vanished in the wake of Yun Xiao's ravenous consumption.
This was because she truly didn't seem to be lying; she appeared to have rushed into the palace famished. Such eating habits were impossible to fake.