Shangguan Lin was momentarily speechless, unable to utter a word. Yes, he dared not take the risk.
If, as Murong Yingxue claimed, his imperial brother was truly in danger, then they would all be in grave peril. Even Yun Xiao would not spare them.
But would his imperial brother be willing to take Sima Bingxin into the palace?
"I fear your imperial brother will not be manipulated by you."
The current imperial brother was unfathomable. How could he allow himself to be dictated by Murong Yingxue?
"You need not worry about that, Prince. Just do as I say. If Murong Gege remembers anyone he once loved, attribute it to Sima Bingxin. Sima Bingxin's matters will be handled by me."
"You?"
Shangguan Lin was somewhat speechless. He couldn't understand why Murong Yingxue could accept other women as consorts for his imperial brother, yet couldn't bear for Yun Xiao to marry him.
However, he truly dared not gamble with his imperial brother's life, so he could only indulge her.
Shangguan Lin threw his hand dismissively and uttered, "Do as you please."
He strode out of the Wanhua Hall, unwilling to collude with this woman. If his imperial brother were to remember, he would likely blame him.
Having secured Shangguan Lin's tacit consent, Murong Yingxue became much bolder. She summoned Qinglin and ordered, "Immediately go to the Prime Minister's mansion and escort Miss Sima into the palace."
"Yes, Princess."
Qinglin slipped away. Huazhi led the attendants into the hall. Upon hearing that the Princess had sent for Miss Sima, they couldn't help but be surprised.
In the past, the young lady detested other women approaching her, fearing they would take an interest in the Master. Now, she was actually bringing someone in. She must be lonely staying in the palace.
Sima Bingxin, the daughter of Prime Minister Sima, was slender and graceful, with delicate and beautiful features. She wore a flowing crimson gown that trailed on the ground, and her shoulders were draped with a white fox fur shawl. The white perfectly accentuated her luminous skin, making her appear like a lotus emerging from water.
Unsure of why the Princess wished to see her, she was somewhat nervous, causing a sheen of perspiration on her cheeks. Two blushes bloomed on her delicate face, making her even more captivating.
"Bingxin pays her respects to the Princess."
Murong Yingxue surveyed Sima Bingxin, thinking her a truly beautiful woman. A hint of jealousy flickered within her, but her expression remained unchanged. She beckoned Sima Bingxin to sit beside her.
"Bingxin, I've only just entered the palace and have no friends. I wished for you to accompany me. You won't find it bothersome, will you?"
The Princess's condescension flattered Sima Bingxin. Although she was the Prime Minister's daughter, she was still a step below those of the imperial family. She quickly replied with elegant words.
"It is Bingxin's fortune that the Princess favors her."
Sima Bingxin's respectful demeanor greatly pleased Murong Yingxue. She took her hand, and the two strolled through the garden behind the Wanhua Hall, chatting as they walked.
It was winter, and the weather was very cold. Several winter plum trees grew behind the Wanhua Hall. Their buds were blooming on the branches, emitting a rich fragrance, though not yet fully open.
Sima Bingxin, being the Prime Minister's daughter, possessed a polished and tactful demeanor and was quite adept at conversation. After spending a short time with her, Murong Yingxue's mood significantly improved, and she became more open. She took Sima Bingxin's hand and turned to look at her.
"Bingxin, if you were to enter the palace, would you be willing to be close to me every day?"
Sima Bingxin blinked, taking a long moment to grasp the meaning. It wasn't until Murong Yingxue prompted her, "Don't you know the Emperor has no consorts in the palace?"
Sima Bingxin's face suddenly flushed crimson. Speaking of such matters with an unmarried lady naturally made her shy. However, she remembered something her father had told her: he had forbidden her from entering the palace as a consort. Though she didn't understand the reason, since he had said so.
"My father said Bingxin is not permitted to enter the palace as a consort."
"Prime Minister Sima is truly…"
Murong Yingxue knew why Sima Qingyun had acted this way. He knew the Emperor deeply loved another woman and was unwilling for his daughter to suffer in the palace.
However, if Murong Gege issued an imperial decree to summon her, Prime Minister Sima might not be able to defy it. Murong Yingxue smiled faintly.
"Does Bingxin know that the Emperor is still a peerless talent? A rare beauty in the world. Doesn't Bingxin wish for such a husband?"
As Murong Yingxue spoke, Sima Bingxin became somewhat moved. She had already heard that the new Emperor was a rare beauty. If she could marry such a man, her heart would be content. But why did her father forbid her from marrying him?
"This…"
Sima Bingxin hesitated. Murong Yingxue patted her hand. "Let everything take its course."
The two continued to stroll in the garden. However, Sima Bingxin became absent-minded. Murong Yingxue pretended not to notice, continuing to chat until evening before allowing Sima Bingxin to return to her mansion.
Moonlit night.
The moonlight poured down like water, bathing the spider plants, firethorn berries, and irises, immersing everything in a cold, silver light.
A luxurious bathing chamber. The entrance was paved with white marble, smooth as glaze. Inside the door, a purplish-pink marble screen was carved with the motif of dragons playing with phoenixes. Large pearls strung together hung on the other side, obscuring the scene within the bathing chamber.
Mist permeated the moderately sized bathing chamber. Light and ethereal gauze screens adorned the four walls, gently stirred by a soft breeze, dancing leisurely. In a circular jade pool of white marble, the water was clear and bright, with countless pink drunken sea rose petals floating on its surface, their fragrance rich and pungent.
A person was reclined by the edge of the bath, their eyes slightly closed, long lashes thick and dense, their skin like frosted jade.
Water droplets, like crystalline beads of glaze, trickled down their sculpted, aesthetically pleasing face. A head of jet-black hair was parted on both sides, floating on the water's surface, veiling a large expanse of beauty on their chest.
And the faintly visible red fruits. This vivid and fragrant tableau of male beauty made the eunuchs stationed nearby dare not even lift their heads.
The person in the pool lay languidly, their eyes closed, concealing the cold, ethereal chill in their pupils. One hand, pale and like fine jade, slowly caressed a peculiar jade pendant hanging on their chest, occasionally rubbing it gently. Suddenly, they opened their eyes, their depths as unfathomable as an abyss.
At this moment, a soul-stirring, cold glint shot forth. They abruptly furrowed their brows, yet even in their frown, they were so beautiful that one couldn't tear their gaze away.
Shangguan Yin's heart sank violently. Something seemed to be on the verge of surfacing in his mind, but the more he struggled to recall, the more it eluded him.
The feel of his hand told him that he might have once loved a woman. Because just now, as he casually touched the pendant, he discovered that of the Shangguan family's dragon-phoenix jade, only the dragon jade remained. Had he given the phoenix jade to someone?
The person to whom he would give the phoenix jade must be someone he loved.
Who was she?
As he thought of it, a feeling of suffocation and discomfort welled up in his chest. He immediately circulated his energy to resist it. When he felt slightly more comfortable, he turned and commanded from the side of the bath, "Fuhai, immediately summon Prince Lin into the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Fuhai bowed his head, accepted the command, and slowly withdrew. Only then did he heave a sigh of relief. The Emperor was truly handsome. Even he, a eunuch, felt his heart flutter, forgetting where he was.