Arrogance from Presumed Favor
Indeed, not even Huo Qiu’s shadow could be seen during the next two days.
The days became hotter during this time with not a cloud in sight in the endless blue skies while the intense sun became even more ruthless. Should a person stand outside for even a while under such conditions, they would have suffered a heat stroke.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo remained at Yiqiu Palace, unwilling to walk about in this kind of weather, and was quite content and relaxed.
It was the end of June and the beginning of July, and the crape myrtle in the courtyard were blooming comparatively later than last year. She had thought they wouldn’t make it but she hadn’t wanted them to bloom on such a day as this either, as their delicate fragrance was released into the air.
An Xia had a bundle of freshly picked Chinese Roses in her arms, the thorns of which she carefully removed from its branches before she entered the inner chambers.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo lay on a comfortable, swinging recliner as it gently swayed, making her body seem even smaller when looking at her from afar. Yet, her profound beauty made her all the more eye-catching. There were several basins of ice behind her, and the cool air radiating from them also brought with it a refreshing sweetness.
Seeing An Xia coming in with an arm full of flowers, she couldn’t help but smile. “The Chinese Rose blooms look quite delicate; freshly picked from the flower gardens just now, weren’t they?
“Flowers are frail, humans are frailer still.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo saw An Xia shuffling her feet in embarrassment and turned to Zi Huan, who had been waiting upon her from behind, “Look at her being so bashful, were my words not the truth?”
Zi Huan was a grand palace maid who had been selected to serve just a few days prior and was a person with a delicate mindset. At the moment, she lightly puckered her lips before following up with a smile. “Since my lady said so, then it naturally is.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo rose up from her place a little and the long and pale, aqua-colored sleeves fluttered to reveal skin as white as lotus roots while her coral pink wrists set a stark contrast that made her seem paler. Her face showed off a carefree, lazy expression.
An Xia inserted the roses into a jade-white porcelain vase. When she turned around and saw Tang Zhuo Zhuo getting up, she observed the sky outside before saying, “Would my lady like to have your evening meal?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s slender fingers stroked the rose petals, the soft, cool touch under her finger made her blink lethargically. She nodded her head.
“That’s right, I sent someone to deliver a letter to my father. Has that been done?”
It was always busy during this period in time and the Tang household was naturally not peacefully calm either. There were ruffians causing trouble from within and greedy, hostile princes from without. Every move had to be done with extreme caution.
The content of the letter was mundane and filled with trivial matters of the palace. But there was an underlying meaning to it and what she really wanted to inform her father and older brothers of were all hidden within.
As long as the letter was sent out, they will quickly understand.
An Xia’s expression also became more serious. “Rest assured, my lady. The small chest was hidden inside the water cart being sent out of the palace. By this hour, the letter should be in the Master’s hands.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo smiled then. She turned her slender body which drew an exotic curve and yawned while covering her lips.
It was at this time, a familiar, shrill sound came in from outside, even carrying in the polite laughter she was accustomed to.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, this lowly servant comes with His Highness’ wish for Your Highness to have a meal at the Main Palace.”
As night fell quietly, it did not take long* for Tang Zhuo Zhuo to arrive at the front gates of the Main Palace.
***一炷香的时辰- a poetic and old way of telling time, burning one incense stick is equivalent to about 5 minutes.
Zhang Desheng had arrived outside well beforehand to wait. Seeing her approach, he quickly ushered her in. “Your Highness has arrived. His Highness is waiting inside.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo nodded gently and entered the study.
The study interior was illuminated by several bright lamps. Huo Qiu, with one hand held at the back of his slender form while the other held a brush, lifted his eyes when he heard the sounds of movement. When he saw her approaching, he set down the brush after a slight hesitation.
“Greetings to Your Highness.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo made her obeisance and with a light smile on her delicately flushed face akin to peach blossoms, said, “Please continue on, Your Highness. Pay me no mind.”
Perhaps because it was nighttime, Huo Qiu’s gaze was softer than before and his voice more mellow. “There is nothing I need to attend to tonight so I sent for you to join me for a meal.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s eyebrows rose.
“It seems more likely that it is because Your Highness snatched this consort’s pastry chef for his own and feels troubled afterwards.”
Huo Qiu’s wide, black sleeves flicked over the yet-to-dry ink. His eyes held a deep profoundness to them, as if he was deep in thought. It was a while before he let out a low chuckle.
“What you say makes sense.”
Even while he just finished speaking, he saw that this lovable petite person was frowning in dissatisfaction not far away and couldn’t help but smile. “No matter, I will find another chef for you in a few days.”
It was only then that Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s brows eased. Her small, pale hand hovered over the lid of her cup, feeling the condensation under her hand. She calmly restrained the strange expression within her eyes.
Huo Qiu already noticed something, from the looks of it.
In her previous life, the chef in her side kitchens made excellent pastries but he was a reserved person and kept a low profile; he rarely interacted with others. Anyone who looked at him would conclude that he was a simple and honest person. Yet, this very same person was someone secretly planted within the East Palace as a spy. And the master he served behind the scenes was the sixth prince Huo Qi.
If his master had not, in her previous life, divulged that he himself ordered the poisoning of the pastries, the same ones that Huo Qiu happened to eat and thus fell unconscious for a good number of days, Tang Zhuo Zhuo would not have remembered such a person.
After her return, she secretly mentioned a few words to Huo Qiu during their most recent meal together. The chef was transferred over to the Main Palace the very next day, never to return.
As to whether that person was sent to a private prison or a mass grave, it was not something she ought to be concerned about.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo narrowed her eyes with a pleased look as she lifted her teacup and took a sip. Only for her to suddenly wrinkle her palm-sized face.
“Your Highness….. Why add so much tea leaves?” She uncovered the lid of her teacup. The green tea leaves were floating up and down, unfurled within the water, and its fragrance overflowed from it.
But the amount was indeed too much.
Huo Qiu hid the smile in his eyes as he answered in a serious manner, “Since I often tend to government affairs until late at night, having stronger tea is invigorating.”
The bitterness in Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s mouth still lingered, so she twisted off a piece of pastry that was placed at the table and brought it to her mouth. The fragrant sweetness slowly spread and finally pacified the strong tea’s aftertaste.
“Your Highness, handling government affairs is an urgent, important matter, but it mustn’t be done in such a way.”
At hearing her soft and gentle complaint, Huo Qiu’s heart trembled and his fingers twitched lightly. Yet, his expression returned to its usual, stern appearance.
“Hn.”
After having the evening meal, Tang Zhuo Zhuo recalled the events to come and walked over to Huo Qiu’s side. “Your Highness, the gift this consort needs to present at Imperial Grandmother’s birthday celebration the day after next….”
It was about time she’s told what it was, right?
Seeing that the day was fast approaching, she needed to be cognizant of things to a certain degree or else being made a mockery of was the least of her concerns. She feared it may arouse dissatisfaction from a certain few within the palace.
Huo Qiu, of course, considered this fact. Without lifting his eyes, he waved his hand at Zhang Desheng, the wide sleeves swishing to and fro. The latter, in turn, bowed and retreated.
“You’ll know soon enough once it’s retrieved.”
With her busying herself so energetically at his side, Huo Qiu naturally found it hard to calm his heart and focus on work. His eyes, as deep as a well, traveled from the memorial submission* in his hand to her fair and flawless face, and then narrowed.
***奏疏- ‘memorial to the throne’. Also called a 章表, it an official communication that is submitted to the Emperor, and theoretically, can be written by anyone from a government official to a merchant to a peasant. The court secretary is the one who usually reads them to the Emperor either during court assembly or handed over personally according to its importance. It was supposed to regulate corrupt officials and provide a semblance of equal opportunity.
“I heard you went to visit Yuxi Palace the other day?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s back stiffened. Her pale white fingertips scraped across the palm of her hand and then suddenly stopped. It was obvious that nothing could ever be concealed from him, so she simply admitted it in a poised and unaffected manner.
“Your Highness may not know but Zhong Liangdi indulged in arrogance from the favour bestowed on her. She doesn’t even acknowledge this consort as the Crown Princess….”
Huo Qiu reached out with his slender index finger to put a stop to her words. His expression became gloomy as he looked at her with a hollow smile and repeated the words she had just spoken. “Arrogance from bestowed favour?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo, who’s countenance was as beautiful as the lustrous jade bracelet adorning her delicate wrist, only nodded without a change in expression.
Huo Qiu scrutinized her with the aid of the dimly lit lamps, finding those words infuriating and laughable in turns.
Even knowing that nothing ever gets by him, she still emphatically made an accusatory complaint to him. Apart from this thick-skinned and brazen woman, there was no second in this world.
His imposing manner was too overwhelming. Tang Zhuo Zhuo felt a little timid in heart and avoided his gaze, not daring to meet those cold intimidating eyes.
“Arrogance from bestowed favour- and just where is she getting this ‘favour’?
Huo Qiu reached up and pinched the area between his brows as he asked with interest.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo felt the slightly softer tone in his voice and blinked. “Your Highness’ favour, of course.”
What else could it be if not that?
Even though she knew Huo Qiu held affection for her, he had always treated Zhong Yuxi quite well. When she entered the Cold Palace in her previous life, Zhong Yuxi became the sole beauty of the Inner Palace and was doted on unfailingly.
Among all the Liangdi concubines, she was the most meritorious within the East Palace.
The way Huo Qiu treated Zhong Yuxi…. could certainly be considered favouring.
Hearing her answer without a hint of hesitation, Huo Qiu frowned deeply and the cold aura emanating from his entire being suddenly became increasingly dark and dense.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo grew somewhat nervous, as a moment later, she lowered her head and murmured, “Your Highness can pretend to have never heard it.”
Huo Qiu stood up abruptly, the look in his eyes akin to an overturned inkstone as they surged with inexplicably dark emotions.
“Jiao Jiao, my favour has only ever been given to one person.”
What was Zhong Yuxi’s worth even? He hadn’t yet touched a single finger of her’s ever since his heart became smitten. His eyes were only filled with Tang Zhuo Zhuo.
How could other women possibly become arrogantly from bestowed favour?
His tone became dangerous and fettered as he pressed his tall form closer in front of her. Tang Zhuo Zhuo instinctually took a step back, her eyes darting left and right to evade him but her whole body was completely surrounded by the man’s cool, sharp presence.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s face became bright red and bit lightly on her lower lip, unable to bear the weight of Huo Qiu’s fiery gaze. Even the sound of her calling ‘Your Highness’ was weak and timid, as if it was a different, lilting way of pouting cutely.
Huo Qiu’s eyes noticeably darkened even more at that moment. A faint, sweet fragrance exuded from the woman’s body and her small, huddled form looked so shy and anxious that it suddenly pulled a very small smile out of him.
She knows to be afraid now?
It was at this time that Zhang Desheng entered with the procured item.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo, who’s face looked to be on fire, fled Huo Qiu’s side swiftly and picked up the cooled cup of tea to sip from and calm her torrid heart.
Huo Qiu’s face instantly turned venomous.
This brainless servant, ignorant of current affairs!
The smile on Zhang Desheng’s face froze for a second before it completely collapsed.
It’s over- he fears that his master will surely kill him and sacrifice him to the heavens!
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