Chapter 153: The Imperial Will (Part One)

In truth, let alone Yan Yan feeling rather dazed, even Ninth Master himself was somewhat bewildered as to why his magnificent Imperial Father had suddenly appeared at Rosy Clouds Garden. Surely His Majesty hadn't been keeping track of the hour he entered the estate just to catch him in the act.

No matter the circumstance, however, Ninth Master could hardly throw his Imperial Father out. He could only follow cautiously behind the Kangxi Emperor as they entered the main hall of the Dream Weaving Pavilion. Although the main hall was not furnished in the entirely Western style of the Brocaded Dreams Garden, it was nonetheless arranged with the casual comfort Yan Yan had previously established at Beiwu Village.

The Emperor glanced around casually, a somewhat unusual expression in his demeanor. A jolt ran through Ninth Master’s heart, and he hastened to accompany the Emperor with an ingratiating smile. "Some time ago, Your Son had a discussion with Mr. Mu, and we concluded that a living space should be as casual as possible. My study, however, remains strictly orthodox; every brush and sheet of paper is kept in absolute order."

The Kangxi Emperor swept a glance over Ninth Master, seated himself in the principal chair, and said in a deep voice, "How is your health? Did not your morning memorial from the past two days state that you were suffering from dizziness? How is it that you are able to run about the gardens today?"

Although the Emperor's tone was less than favorable, Ninth Master could practically feel the deep concern underlying his words. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes, replying, "Replying to Imperial Father, Your Son is already much better and was planning to attend court tomorrow."

The Emperor uttered an "En," seemingly quite satisfied with the response. At that precise moment, Yan Yan brought in a cup of tea she had brewed, handing it to a palace maid waiting outside. The Emperor commanded in a deep voice, "Have the Yan woman enter and present herself before Us."

A wave of tension instantly gripped Ninth Master's heart, and the palms of his hands began to sweat slightly. The sensation was even more exaggerated than when he had first brought Lady Donggo to meet the Emperor. Naturally, Yan Yan had heard the imperial decree as well. Once the palace maid confirmed the tea, she personally picked up the tray and walked in.

"This concubine pays her respects to Imperial Father. May Imperial Father be blessed with fortune!" Carrying the tea tray, Yan Yan exercised utmost caution as she performed the curtsy. Ninth Master desperately wanted to step forward and take the tray from her, but fearing he would displease the Emperor, he reined in the impulse and stood quietly to the side.

Fortunately, the Emperor did not make things difficult for Yan Yan and quickly told her to rise. Yan Yan secretly let out a breath of relief, placed the teacup beside the Emperor, and said in a soft voice, "Please partake of the tea, Imperial Father."

The Emperor had already noticed the tea in Yan Yan's hands. It was a transparent glass cup wherein tender Biluochun leaves were slowly unfurling. A wisp of light mist hovered within the cup, and the delicate leaf buds drifted—some intersecting like banners and spears, others floating up and down—all clearly visible before the eyes, creating a uniquely pleasing and delightful sight.

The Emperor cast a glance at Yan Yan, who was standing quietly to the side with lowered head and cautious demeanor. Feigning casualness, he picked up the tea and took a light sip, instantly captivated by its extraordinary, refreshing fragrance. The Emperor could not help but look at Yan Yan again, asking in a deep voice, "What water was used to brew this tea?"

Yan Yan pressed her lips together, thinking to herself that Kangxi truly was an emperor—he could even discern that her tea was brewed with a different kind of water. Hastily, she replied, "Replying to Imperial Father, it was brewed using morning dew. In the autumn, the dew upon the lotus leaves is the most limpid. This concubine collected some, thinking it would be the finest water for brewing tea come winter."

The Emperor uttered another "En." "You are indeed a thoughtful person."

Yan Yan lowered her head once more. In truth, she felt rather guilty; she had only collected a single jar of that dew, originally intending to present it to Ninth Master as a prized treasure on some special day. Who could have known it would end up being served to the Emperor instead?

Unsure of what he was contemplating, the Emperor remained silent for a moment before asking, "Was this cup also prepared specifically for brewing tea?" Yan Yan never imagined that the Kangxi Emperor would be one to pry into the root of things. Was she supposed to tell him that she had bought this glass cup out of nostalgia for future generations?

"Replying to Imperial Father, because our master usually favors green tea the most, and green tea possesses a unique charm when unfurling in a glass cup, this concubine prepared a few." Having no other choice, Yan Yan shifted the reason back onto Ninth Master, thereby defusing the Emperor's question while conveniently flattering Ninth Master in the process.

True enough, Ninth Master glanced sideways at Yan Yan, his gaze filled with warmth. The Emperor, meanwhile, seemed to be thinking of the tea Ninth Master favored, and remarked, "That is right. I also remember that Yingtong enjoys drinking Dragon Well tea from before the rains."

As soon as these words left the Emperor's lips, Ninth Master was thrilled beyond measure. One must realize that the Emperor had a multitude of sons; had the Emperor remembered Ninth Master's mischievous escapades, Ninth Master would not have been surprised in the least. But for the Emperor to remember the specific tea Ninth Master loved to drink—Ninth Master felt so grateful he could almost shed tears of joy.

The Emperor paid no mind to Ninth Master's excitement, instead sweeping another glance toward Yan Yan. Yan Yan felt an immense wave of pressure wash over her. True to his title as Emperor, the pressure he exerted was far more formidable than anything Ninth Master had ever made her feel. Realizing her thoughts were wandering once more, Yan Yan hurriedly reined in her emotions and waited for the Emperor's inquiry. Sure enough, after sustaining a low atmospheric pressure for a moment, the Emperor stated, "I have heard that during Yingtong's recent illness, it was you who stayed by his side and tended to him?"

Yan Yan had known all along that the Emperor would ask this question, and indeed he had. Having long since prepared her answer, Yan Yan replied, "It was only what this concubine ought to do."

The Emperor emitted another prolonged "En." After a long pause, he asked, "What is your view on Lady Qi?"

Yan Yan froze instantly, her eyes widening slightly. She had no alternative; the shock the Emperor dealt her was simply too great—he had actually brought up Lady Qi. Ninth Master also seemed to feel that the Emperor's question was somewhat excessive, and anxiously called out, "Imperial Father..."

The Emperor glared at Ninth Master. "Silence. I am speaking to her."

Ninth Master choked back his words mid-breath. With practiced swiftness, Yan Yan reached out and tugged at Ninth Master's sleeve, casting a reassuring smile his way. In response, Ninth Master grasped her hand back, utterly unwilling to let Yan Yan face this interrogation alone.

Naturally, the Emperor observed the small exchange between the two of them, and his gaze grew a shade darker. Yan Yan withdrew her hand from Ninth Master's grasp, looked the Emperor squarely in the eyes, and answered with firm conviction, "This concubine believes that Lady Qi harbored greed she should never have entertained, losing the true essence of emotional devotion. In the end, she failed Emperor Gaozu of Han, and she failed her own son, the Prince of Zhao."

The Emperor had never anticipated that Yan Yan would speak such words to him. Naturally, he also felt a measure of appreciation that a woman from an inner courtyard could effortlessly articulate the names of Emperor Gaozu of Han and the Prince of Zhao.

"Explain your thoughts to Me in detail." Even though the Emperor felt a stirring of admiration for Yan Yan, the matter of a royal favoring a concubine over his primary wife remained an unseemly affair. Therefore, the Emperor had no intention of allowing such a situation to persist. Of course, the Emperor could easily have ordered someone to bestow a cup of poisoned wine upon Yan Yan, but he would do no such thing; aside from the fact that Yan Yan had once saved his life, he had no wish to lose a son.

Thus, having chanced upon this estate today, the Emperor had felt a sudden impulse to test her character after seeing her.