Chapter 374

Nobody expected the Emperor to suddenly visit Bright Moon Palace. At dusk that day, the Dakang Emperor Long Yelin came to Bright Moon Palace without informing anyone. When Wen Ya heard the news, Long Yelin had already entered Bright Moon Palace. Wen Ya hurriedly brought a few eunuchs and palace maids to greet him, kneeling before Long Yelin and saying: 'Your Majesty, I was unaware of your arrival; please forgive my lapse in etiquette.'

Hu Xiaotian and Baobao knelt behind Wen Ya; their eyes met briefly then they looked away. Hu Xiaotian's eyes darted about, naturally full of curiosity, wanting to see what the Dakang Emperor Long Yelin actually looked like.

Long Yelin and Yan Yuese said, 'Rise!' He personally helped Wen Ya up, and Hu Xiaotian and the others also stood. Hu Xiaotian took the opportunity to size up this newly enthroned Dakang emperor: Long Yelin is forty‑one, not old; perhaps due to many vicissitudes of fate, the emperor looks somewhat wan, with quite a bit of white hair at his temples, wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, fair complexion, slightly plump, medium build—his appearance can only be described as ordinary, lacking the legendary imperial aura.

When Wen Ya rose, Long Yelin's gaze fixed on her pretty face, obviously stunned for a moment, clearly shaken by her beauty. Wen Ya lowered her head shyly and said softly, 'Your Majesty...' That utterance of 'Your Majesty' was gentle and melodious, possessing a power that seeped straight into the heart; even Hu Xiaotian standing behind Wen Ya couldn't help but feel his mind sway, let alone Long Yelin himself, who was the first to feel it.

Long Yelin said, 'Beloved consort!' The corners of his mouth finally showed a smile. Hu Xiaotian watched, feeling angry inside, secretly cursing Wen Ya as lewd/low. Unconsciously he substituted Wen Ya for Le Yao. Seeing her display all her charm before Long Yelin, he cursed inwardly, 'Little bastard, are you trying to make me wear a green hat?' But for now he could only swallow his jealousy.

Wen Ya's voice was as pleasant as an oriole emerging from the valley; she said softly, 'It's cold outside, please come inside, Emperor.'

Long Yelin obviously became spirited, as the saying goes, joy brings vigor. Seeing such a beauty who makes the moon hide and flowers blush, even a eunuch would be moved, let alone the Emperor.

'Good! Good! Good!' Long Yelin said three 'good's in a row before entering Bright Moon Palace. Wen Ya followed closely, secretly giving Hu Xiaotian a glance, signaling him to pour tea. Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly, 'Damn your mother's head!' This old man with one foot in the grave—how could he bear to lay hands on such a fresh, delectable beauty? Then he thought, Wen Ya's monthly courses haven't ended yet; even if Long Yelin had the lust, he lacks the opportunity. Still, it's hard to say—Long Yelin's tastes are heavy; he could develop a deviant affection for Ji Feihua, showing he's a pervert. If he really harbored ill intentions, wouldn't my head be crowned green? Hu Xiaotian felt increasingly uncomfortable. The more he thought, the more he hated. Looking again at Wen Ya's all‑tempting, gentle charm, he couldn't help cursing inwardly, 'What noble lady? She's just a green‑tea bitch, trying to seduce the Emperor.' Hehe, little slut, you're just trying to prolong your life! If Ji Feihua found out the Emperor secretly came to see you, she'd never let you off easy.

As Hu Xiaotian poured tea, Wutong came over as well, standing aside and watching his movements warily. Hu Xiaotian knew what she was thinking. He sneered, 'Are you worried I'll tamper with things in there? You don't trust me—come do it yourself.' He was in a bad mood, so he tossed the task to Wutong.

Long Yelin looked Wen Ya up and down, the more he looked the more pleasing he found her, and he said softly, 'I've long heard you are unrivaled in beauty, graceful outside and wise within; today I see it's true.'

Wen Ya replied bashfully, 'Your Majesty flatters me; I am honored to see you today, Your Majesty, and I feel quite nervous.'

Long Yelin laughed loudly, 'Am I really that fearsome?'

No, the Emperor is the sovereign of a nation, renowned throughout the world; Xiao Ya's reverence for Your Majesty is like looking up to a lofty mountain… actually… actually Your Majesty has always been Xiao Ya's idol in her heart…' Saying this, she lowered her pretty face, her bashful expression evoking pity to the utmost.

Long Yelin was dazed by Wen Ya's shy, bashful demeanor, and without thinking he reached out to grasp her delicate hand.

Hu Xiaotian saw this scene clearly, cursing inwardly, 'Beast, release my woman!' Looking at Wen Ya's manner only made his anger flare further. 'Little bastard, do you think I don't exist? You're trying to seduce a man right in front of me!'

Actually, it's normal for a married couple to show some affection; Hu Xiaotian's jealousy is completely unfounded.

At that moment, Wutong brought the tea over.

Wen Ya picked up a cup of tea from the tray and presented it with both hands to Long Yelin: 'Your Majesty, please have tea.'

Long Yelin nodded with a smile, his gaze fixed on Wen Ya's pretty face. Hu Xiaotian instantly saw trouble: who said the Dakang Emperor prefers martial attire over finery? It looks like this sovereign is versatile—able to attack and to receive—no wonder Ji Feihua treats Wen Ya's arrival as a formidable threat. Trouble! Big trouble!

Long Yelin took a sip of tea, then turned his gaze back to Wen Ya's face and said softly, 'At court today I saw the Grand Preceptor; we talked about you, and he is very concerned about you.'

Wen Ya said, 'I will never forget my father's kindness.' When speaking before the Emperor, one must be extremely careful, not revealing any longing for family.

Long Yelin added, 'The Empress also constantly praises me in my presence; previously I had never heard her praise anyone else like this.'

Wen Ya said, 'The Empress treats me like her own sister, caring for Xiao Ya with utmost devotion; thus, although Xiao Ya has only been in the palace a short time, she already regards it as her home.'

Long Yelin reached out again to grasp her delicate hand: 'Xiao Ya, you are indeed sensible.'

Hu Xiaotian, standing aside, had already broken out in gooseflesh, silently cursing that the old rascal Long Yelin would surely meet heavenly retribution.

Long Yelin waved his hand and said, 'You all step back first; I want to have a frank talk with my beloved consort.'

'Yes!' A group of palace maids and eunuchs understood at once—the Emperor wanted them to withdraw. It seems this Talented Person is too beautiful; even in broad daylight the Emperor can't restrain himself. Hu Xiaotian felt his head buzz—his plans were useless, he'd have to adapt; this Emperor is a bit unscrupulous, after all, she's still having her monthly courses. He glanced sideways at Wen Ya, only to see a complex, tangled look in her beautiful eyes; though he didn't know what it signified, it was certainly not joy or pleasure.

Hu Xiaotian followed the crowd in silence, feeling his heart cut like a knife, silently reminding himself, 'None of my business—she's not Le Yao, she's not my wife.' Behind him he heard Long Yelin call out amorously, 'Xiao Ya!'

Wen Ya replied coyly, 'Your Majesty…'

Hu Xiaotian quickened his steps, unable to listen any longer; if he heard more he felt he'd spit out a mouthful of old blood.

But just then he suddenly heard Wen Ya cry out in alarm, 'Your Majesty… what's wrong with you?'

Everyone turned their heads at once, only to see Long Yelin clutching his stomach; instantly his face turned ashen, his forehead beaded with sweat the size of soybeans. He whispered, 'I… my stomach… really hurts…'

Wen Ya's pretty face drained of color; she never imagined the Emperor would suddenly become like this. From the moment Long Yelin entered Bright Moon Palace until now he had only taken a few sips of tea; his eyes fell on the teacup and he trembled, 'This tea… contains poison…'

Hu Xiaotian was the first to react, shouting, 'Protect the Emperor!' He didn't even have time to feel schadenfreude; if the Emperor met with mishap in Bright Moon Palace, everyone there would likely lose their heads.

The eunuchs and guards who had accompanied the Emperor surged forward to shield Long Yelin, while Wen Ya was pushed aside, not knowing what to do.

Hu Xiaotian pointed at Wutong and bellowed, 'Slut, what did you put in the tea?' It's not that he won't retaliate—just that the time isn't right—but he seized the chance to get back at Wutong. Another reason was to clear himself; moreover, Wutong was unlucky, having insisted on doing the tea‑pouring chore that originally belonged to Hu Xiaotian, thereby stealing his bad luck.

Wutong looked panicked, she shook her head and fell to her knees with a thud, crying, 'Innocent, Talented Person, I didn't put anything in, I swear…' Before she could finish, Hu Xiaotian lunged forward and slapped her twice across the face without mercy, leaving both cheeks swollen; a group of guards had already surrounded Wutong, clearly treating her as the prime suspect. Although Wutong knew martial arts, having been caught off guard by Hu Xiaotian's blow, even if she could normally dodge his slap she dared not move, her eyes filled with resentment toward Hu Xiaotian.

Wen Ya panicked, 'Quickly summon the imperial physician!'

When the crowd heard the Emperor say the tea was poisoned, they all lost their composure; only Hu Xiaotian remained relatively calm. At first he too was startled by Long Yelin's claim of poison in the tea, but he quickly regained his composure—abdominal pain does not necessarily mean poisoning; seeing Long Yelin clutch his stomach and scream in agony, it was clearly an acute surgical abdomen.

Hu Xiaotian took a step forward, but the guards stopped him, shouting, 'Kneel!' The guards didn't care about anything else now; they suspected everything.

Hu Xiaotian wasn't intimidated; he called out loudly, 'Your Majesty, I have studied some medicine—let me examine you.'

Two guards glared at Hu Xiaotian, about to seize him, when they heard Long Yelin tremble, 'You… you quickly help me… I'm about to die from the pain…' In desperation one will try any doctor, and the Emperor is no exception. But this time it was like a blind cat finding a dead rat—Hu Xiaotian is no quack.

With the Emperor's word, the guards and eunuchs dared not obstruct further; they let Hu Xiaotian approach. He came to Long Yelin's side, saw the Emperor's complexion waxy yellow, his forehead drenched in sweat, and said respectfully, 'Your Majesty, where does it hurt?'

Long Yelin pointed to his right waist: 'It kills me…'

Hu Xiaotian bowed to the Emperor, saying, 'Please forgive my intrusion.' He placed his left palm flat on Long Yelin's waist, then clenched his right hand and tapped the back of his left hand; after just one tap, Long Yelin cried out, 'Pain… so much pain…'

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, 'Could it be a sudden kidney stone? If so, then it's not poisoning at all.'

Long Yelin said, 'I… I have an urgent need to move my bowels…'

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