Liu ying peered closer at her face,"You don't feel like the others. I can't explain it, but it feels as though you're always thinking of something. But, all in all, you're a good person" Lingxi smiled, "you are quite good at reading people" "of course. My dad is the minister of justice, I should be able to learn something" "Right. I'm only thinking of I a nd my family and friends" "We really are birds of a feather, you know. We care about exactly the same thing. As I said earlier, why bother about the troubles of life? I live only for myself minding my own business. So, friends?" Liu ying asked lifting her cup. "Friends", Lingxi accepted the toast and drank. Liu ying sighed, "All these eating, drinking, listening and watching the pretentious faces of everyone has wearied me out. How about we go for a stroll? I can show you around the palace" "Is it appropriate for us to wander around the palace?" "What's inappropriate about it? Let's go", she said dragging Lingxi out of the room. "It seems our children get along quite well", Minister Liu, Liu Qin said heartily to Mo Qinshan.
[The Imperial Garden]
"This is the imperial garden. Pretty, right?" Liu ying asked as they looked around. "It is indeed pretty but won't we be punished for sneaking into the imperial garden this late?" "What punishment?" "The imperial garden is a leisure spot for noble ladies like us. Besides, who would dare punish you?" "Is that so?" they heard a voice behind them. They turned. It was He Zhen. "Your highness", they curtsied. "Miss Liu ying, you are quite bold, aren't you?" "I wouldn't dare", Liu ying answered. "Liu Ying was carried away and spoke out of turn. She didn't mean to offend your highness", Lingxi intervened. "Oh, in that case, she meant to offend the empress, am I right?" he said taking a step closer to them. Lingxi smiled, "your highness is overthinking. She merely meant that as this is a spot for women and the empress only disciplines members of the harem, we need not worry about others punishing us" "You are quite sharp, not bad. However, what she said is simply undermining the power of others and placing Censor Mo in superiority", He Zhen was bent on dragging Mo Qinshan into this. "No, I wasn't....." Liu Ying wanted to say but Lingxi held her hand to stop her. She smiled again, "your highness, I don't see how this matter involves my father and why you insist on dragging him into this. Moreover, I trust your Highness's judgement. Your Highness surely would not trouble two young women over such a small matter"
He scoffed and turned to leave but stopped after a few steps. He turned back, "Miss Mo speaks well. I shall remember that". And he went out of sight.
Liu Ying heaved a sigh of relief, "phew! That was terrifying. I was scared to death just now". "Afraid? Then watch what you say next time". "There won't be a next time. It would be best if we leave"
The ride back to the Censor'w manor was a pleasant one. "You are back. How was the journey?" Mo Qinshan asked. "There is no completely pleasant journey, is there?" Lingxi responded with a smile. "What did you learn on this journey?"
[Flashback]
"Responsible for the massacre of the Prime Minister's family, our first target is the Minister of Revenue, Li Changsheng"
[Present]
"I made a trip to Xishan city. I learnt how to make a lot of their delicacies and crafts. It was very interesting. I also found someone that caught my eyes" "Really? Who is he?" "Just someone random"
[The Next Day]
[Prince Li's Manor]
"Your Highness, Miss Mo attended yesterday's banquet ", Jun Jie, He Yu's bodyguard said. He Yu paused halfway through his tea for a second and continued drinking.
[The Empress's Manor]
"Greetings, Your Highness", Lingxi curtsied. The Empress had a smile on her face, "rise. No need for formalities. Sit down"* she gestured at the chair by her right. "Thank you, Your Highness ", Lingxi said and sat down at her right. "You've grown up beautifully. I can hardly recognize you" "You flatter me, Your Highness. I don't think we've met before ", Lingxi responded with a smile. "Of course, you don't remember. You were just three then. Who would expect that that three year old child is now of marriageable age?" The Empress was carefully picking her words. "Your Highness, you're teasing me", Lingxi responded. "Back then, the late emperor promised you a royal marriage. You are of age now, I think it's time we kept the promise", she said. She gestured to her maid who passed a big yellow scroll to her. "Your Highness, I'm not in a hurry and besides, I think it is inappropriate for me to accept this edict privately " "Li'er, are you trying to disobey the imperial edict?" "I don't dare. It's just that marriage has always been decided by parents. I feel this edict should go to my father instead" "Li'er, it makes no difference whoever receives the edict. In the end, you are the one getting married" "Forgive me, your Highness. What worries me more is negative gossip. Everyone already looks down on me for being an adopted daughter. If I accept this marriage privately, I'll be drowned in spit", Lingxi looked pitiful in an instant. Shen Ruihua held her hand and looked into her moist eyes, "it's my fault for not thinking ahead. I'll have the edict delivered to the Mo Residence. I have to consider your reputation". Lingxi stood up and curtsied with a bright smile, "thank you for your consideration, your Highness " "No need to be so polite with me" "Then, I'll take my leave now", Lingxi said. Shen Ruihua agreed her eyes watching her leave. Lingxi turned and left but the bright eyes that she had seen earlier had visibly cooled.
---
"Your Highness, it was just as you expected. Her Highness wanted a marriage between the first prince and Miss Mo using His late Majesty's edict", Shen Qian reported. "As expected", He Yu smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "Your Highness, what do you want me to do?" Shen Qian asked reading his expression. "Go to the Imperial Secretariat and find Zhou An" "Your Highness, are you suspecting that are Highness changed the edict" He Yu did not respond.
[Mo Residence]
The Mo Residence unlike other noble residences displayed discipline and other rather than luxury. Its wooden dark gates were plain but imposing, framed by pale stone walls and guarded by neatly trimmed pines. There were no lavish carvings or displays of wealth so one could sense the restraint and discipline of the household
In the eastern part of the Mo Residence, Lingxi's courtyard could be found. It was a quiet residence surrounded by flowers. There was a small green pond with lotus and goldfishes. Her residence was far more elegant than the restrained appearance of the main residence. Inside, she was seated with her bodyguard, Qin Yan, standing next to her.
"So, what are we going to do about the edict?" Qin Yan asked. "Wait", Lingxi answered. "Her Highness plans on getting me married to her son, the first prince. She is not interested in me but my worth as she plans to use my father's position to secure the position of crown prince for her son" "In that case, we'll have to wait till we receive the edict and figure out how to turn the tables" "That's right. Since she wants to play, we'll play along and strike back at the perfect time", Lingxi concluded as she took a sip of her tea. A high voice resounded from the gate of the Mo Residence.
"The Imperial edict has arrived!"