Chapter 399

Behind the scenes, their family and the Jiang family had already reached an understanding.

His mother mentioned that Grand Scholar Jiang had agreed to take their birth charts to the Imperial Observatory in a few days for compatibility assessment. If there were no issues, a betrothal date would be set.

What issues could there possibly be?

He had practically worn out the threshold of the Imperial Observatory, ensuring that his and Fourth Miss Jiang's birth charts were a match made in heaven.

The faint, bitter scent of pine and cypress wafted through the air as Jiang Xinyan blushed and pushed him away, but he remained unmoved, instead pressing closer.

With a hint of possessiveness, he used his wide sleeves to entangle with Jiang Xinyan's sleeves.

The young men who had been eager to approach Jiang Xinyan looked on in surprise. Seeing the warning in Third Yan's eyes, they quickly averted their gazes.

Good heavens...

Third Yan had set his sights on Fourth Miss Jiang. What a powerful union that would be!

In the future, when the Crown Prince comes of age, with Grand Preceptor Jing and Grand Scholar Jiang handling civil affairs and the Cavalry General's Mansion overseeing military matters, who would dare to oppose?

The Emperor was clearly paving the way for the Crown Prince while he was still young, cutting down all thorns in his path.

As the performance in the Imperial Garden concluded, the actors came forward to receive their rewards and express their gratitude.

Coincidentally, the Emperor, having finished his court duties, arrived at that moment. Jiang Xinyue led the group in greeting him: "Your Majesty, what brings you here today?"

The Emperor helped her up, carefully supporting her visibly pregnant belly, his eyes filled with warmth: "Princess Yunyang has come from afar. Of course, I must personally welcome her."

After all, this elderly princess was the only one from the previous Emperor's reign to have lived to such an advanced age.

Moreover, his daughter was soon to marry into the Princess's household. To show his care for this daughter, he had to be present.

He didn’t want the Shi Family to think he didn’t value her, lest they mistreat her in the future.

Mingzhu wasn’t as sensible as Mingyu. Sometimes she offended people without realizing it. If her Emperor father didn’t stand up for her, who would indulge her or give her leeway?

As everyone rose, the members of the Rongsheng Opera Troupe remained kneeling, waiting for their rewards.

Concubine Tong suddenly exclaimed, "Oh!" pointing at the bowing Lan Xiaolou. "I wasn’t sure at first, but isn’t this the once-renowned Master Cui from Cuili Garden? I heard you had retired from the stage to return to your hometown and get married. Didn’t you leave the opera world? Why are you back in the business? Did your marriage not happen?"

Lan Xiaolou, with his graceful posture, knelt before Jiang Xinyue, refusing to lift his head. "Noble Concubine, the Cuiyu Tower of the past is dead. What you see now is merely Lan Xiaolou of the Rongsheng Opera Troupe. My wife passed away three years ago. I would rather not speak of it, so please, Noble Concubine, do not press me."

"Hmph!"

Concubine Tong chuckled. "Is it that you don’t want to speak, or that you dare not speak? The Empress is standing right in front of you, yet you won’t even look up to let her see you?"

What did she mean?

Jiang Xinyue was about to speak when fragments of chaotic memories flashed through her mind.

Stumbling through the woods, the sound of hurried breathing, someone pushing her: "Go, go... as far away as you can."

"They’re coming again. I can’t drag you down anymore. Leave me, please! I beg you, go!"

"I’ll take you away. We’ll be together forever."

"Clatter!"

The sound of dishes falling: "Did you gamble again? Did you gamble again?"

"You’re hopeless. You’re beyond saving. I’m done with you."

"Xiaolou, I’m going to the palace to participate in the selection. From now on... take care of yourself."

To the onlookers, it seemed that the moment Lan Xiaolou looked up, the Empress swayed and nearly fainted.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Yue’er!"

The Emperor swiftly caught her, while Lan Xiaolou’s outstretched hand quickly retracted, hidden behind his back.

The heavy stage makeup on his face masked his concern.

Concubine Tong, however, seemed to have caught onto something, exclaiming dramatically, "I recall that before Her Majesty entered the palace, she was quite close to Master Cui? There are still rumors in Cuili Garden that Master Cui left the opera world for the sake of a noble lady. Empress, do you know who that noble lady was? You must know, right?"

Consort Shu’s eyes darted between Lan Xiaolou and Jiang Xinyue before she interjected, "Concubine Tong, have you lost your mind? How dare you question the Empress?"

Jiang Xinyue straightened up in the Emperor’s arms, smiling weakly. "If Concubine Tong hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten about this old friend of mine. Back then, I was quite the fan of Boss Xiaolou, even obsessed for a time. It brings me joy to see you return to the stage, Xiaolou."

"You clearly are..."

"What?"

Jiang Xinyue’s gaze sharpened, exuding a murderous aura. Concubine Tong recoiled, not daring to continue.

But who among the onlookers wasn’t sharp?

Combined with Concubine Tong’s earlier words, it seemed she was exposing that the Empress had been involved with this lowly actor before entering the palace.

Not only that, but the two had even planned to marry, though for some reason, the Empress ultimately entered the palace.

And Lan Xiaolou, who had announced his retirement for the sake of his wife, had now reappeared with the Rongsheng Opera Troupe.

In an instant, the gazes directed at Jiang Xinyue in the Imperial Garden turned suspicious.

Lan Xiaolou clenched and unclenched his fists before kowtowing three times to her. "Thanks to the Empress’s generosity, I was able to overcome my hardships. I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

From Lan Xiaolou’s mouth, the story took on a different meaning.

"You’re lying!"

Concubine Tong wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip. She stepped forward, pointing at Lan Xiaolou. "The person you were about to marry—dare you swear it wasn’t the Empress?"

"Whoosh—"

So it was true!

This news was too explosive!

"What are you talking about, Noble Concubine?"

Lan Xiaolou let out a self-deprecating laugh. "The Empress and I share a bond of mentorship and rescue. Back then, I was framed and fell into gambling. It was the Empress who helped me repay my debts. Filled with fear, I decided to leave the opera world and return to my hometown to marry my childhood sweetheart, my cousin. But she fell ill and passed away, which is why I accepted the invitation from the Rongsheng Opera Troupe to return to the capital and perform."

His eyes were clear and resolute, a stark contrast to his earlier flirtatious demeanor. "If there were any inappropriate relationship between the Empress and me, I would never have dared to accept the invitation to perform in the palace. Do I have a death wish?"

Impossible!

Concubine Tong had investigated thoroughly. Before Jiang Xinyue entered the palace, she had been involved with this actor.

"But the people from Cuiyu Tower didn’t tell it that way."

Concubine Tong clapped her hands, and from behind the archway emerged two men and two women, all in their late teens.

More familiar yet unfamiliar faces.