Note: Nope, not an NSFW scene warning this time. Just wanted to say that in the previous chapter, Hua Fengjin was punished with being flogged fifty times and not whipping. Sorry about the mix-up.
Since the two parted, Qi Mingyue had lived on the Lofty Mountain for quite a while, during which Qi Xutian sent someone to pass the stringed zither over to him, but without his knowledge, he (QX) ordered people to build an independent residence for him on the mountain top in which various furnishings, including a table and a chair, had been placed and it looked the same as the palace’s bedchamber.
When he was led into the forest and saw the elegant and beautiful house before him, as well as the things within, he had to sigh. He was deeply touched by his father's care for him.
After releasing Little Black with a thank you note, Qi Mingyue focused on practising Tianyin. Every day, he asked Chu Yu for advice and practised infusing his essence into the music of the stringed zither amidst the beautiful mountains and rivers. With such an interesting senior, along with Xiao Yin and Lan as company, life wasn’t bad.
On this day, he was sitting in the courtyard to rest and saw Xiao Yin hopping in.
“Brother Yue, Little Black wrote a letter again.” With his silver hair flying back, Xiao Yin threw himself into his arms, his little face was flushed because of his hasty arrival and he looked endearingly adorable.
Qi Mingyue squeezed his cheek and chuckled lightly, “I didn't know Little Black could write a letter. Xiao Yin, tell me, how was it written and what did it write?”
Xiao Yin was tongue-tied and blushed, then raised the paper in his hand with a smug look on his little face, “Brother Yue, if you bully me again, I'll make sure you can't see the letter from your Father Emperor, humph...”
Suddenly his hand loosened and the paper previously in his hold had fallen into someone else’s hands. When he looked up, he saw Qi Mingyue waving something held between his fingers with raised eyebrows and a sly smile on his lips. Xiao Yin immediately pouted, “I’m going to tell Lan that you are bullying me.”
Qi Mingyue nodded and hugged the child, “Good, good, I wonder how Lan would punish you when he sees that Xiao Yin was disobedient and came to me... Well, let me guess, will he bite you like last time or punish you by not letting you go out...”
After listening to Qi Mingyue's words, Xiao Yin hastily covered his mouth and babbled, “No, no, Lan’s bite hurts, Xiao Yin doesn’t want it. Brother Yue is not allowed to tell Lan.” He said and got out of his arms while looking around anxiously.
Seeing a figure appear in the distance, he hurriedly hid in the bushes behind and disappeared in a flash.
Qi Mingyue smiled watching him flee but saw that the person who appeared in the courtyard was Chu Yu with his black clothes crumpled and his unkempt hair seemed to be even messier than yesterday. He had long been accustomed to this Senior Chu’s style. He leaned against the couch and waved his hand towards Chu Yu, “What's the matter, Senior?”
Chu Yu stood in front of him and looked at the surrounding greenery full of flowers, shrubs and trees as well as the courtyard that seemed to be quite comfortable to live in. He was a little relieved; seeing how everything looked, he (QM) really intended to stay here for a long time.
Even though he thought so, he still stood in place rubbing his hands and seemed hesitant to speak.
When Qi Mingyue was about to fall asleep under the warm sunshine, he finally asked cautiously, “Mingyue... you’re not going to go back to the palace, are you? But you haven’t finished learning Tianyin yet, and the gu in your body hasn’t been removed, so I advise you not to go back. You must know...”
Qi Mingyue opened his eyes slightly, raised his hand to stop the lengthy chatter pouring out of his mouth, “Senior, don't worry, I won’t return until the poison is resolved. Only after I master Tianyin will I bid you farewell.”
Chu Yu heaved a sigh of relief at his assurance and murmured, “That's good, that's good, I thought Little Black brought a letter asking you to return. Below the mountain, rumours about some kind of alien star are circulating saying that it would kill its mother and cause calamity. Right now, the entire town is in a difficult and dangerous situation because of these rumours. I heard that something happened in the palace again, I believe Emperor Cang He must be concerned about you and wants to call you back... It’s better not to because Tianyin will give great results.”
After listening to what Chu Yu said, Qi Mingyue remembered the conversation between Father Emperor and him on the day of their separation. Father must be the one in control of these palace affairs, he wondered how he (QX) would deal with Hua Fengjin.
Unfolding the letter in his hand, the familiar handwriting warmed his heart. He (QX) mentioned a few things about the palace, the rest were his feelings about how he missed him. To think that a person like Father would actually pour out the pain of separation on a piece of paper; the letter was no different from a love letter, it made Qi Mingyue shake his head but there was a smile on his lips.
Chu Yu grabbed her hair in confusion and wondered what made Qi Mingyue so happy, but as long as he didn't plan on leaving the mountain, he was relieved.
It wasn’t like he wasn’t aware of the odd relationship between Emperor Cang He and this prince, but he was a person obsessed with music and had no interest in the world, so he was naturally oblivious to the unusual bond between the two. As long as Qi Mingyue could learn Tianyin, he would have fulfilled his greatest wish in life.
You must understand, he was teaching a Celestial! Thinking of this, he was elated and walked out while wondering what he should teach tomorrow so that such a gifted young man could better understand the mystery of Tianyin.
Qi Mingyue still held the paper while leaning against the couch, thinking about what was written on the paper. Although he (QX) did not mention what he planned to do next, it seemed that Father wouldn’t let her go easily.
She was thrown into the prison, not the dungeon[1]. If he didn’t have some other plans, he wouldn’t be Father.
[1] Underground Palace.
Placing the paper in his arms, Qi Mingyue watched the colourful leaves whirling in the air as they fell and slightly squinted his eyes while enjoying the smell of autumn. It wasn’t known what he thought of, but a lazy smile emerged on his lips. He languidly reached his hand out and caught something green gliding through the air and brought it to his lips.
A gentle and pleasant sound of flute sounded, carrying a strange sense of tension with a mysterious, hidden undertone; the melody was smooth and steady as if unintentionally compelling the heart and mind, making people unconsciously sink into the music that was like water... until they drown...
Looking at the pair of birds that fell by his feet, one motionless and the other still struggling, Qi Mingyue threw the leaf in his hand and slowly closed his eyes.
The autumn sun was very warm and soothing for both the body and the mind and it also made people feel relaxed. After a series of events, the palace had finally calmed down and all the officials as well as the palace guards heaved a sigh of relief and went about their own affairs with a brisk pace while enjoying this rare peaceful time.
No one mentioned Hua Fengjin who was sent to prison, and the Second Prince, who had something to do with the rumours of the alien star, was also missing, but since His Majesty did not mention it, no one dared to ask.
In this calm, some people sensed hints of the incoming storm brewing behind the scenes. The experienced old ministers were wise and knew how to protect themselves, so except the matters that concerned them, they did not interfere with the morning court. Everything was much more peaceful as they did not bother His Majesty with all kinds of trivial matters.
After the end of morning court that day, in the Imperial Study, a light sandalwood scented incense was burning. A figure dressed in black-coloured robes embroidered with gold stood with his hands clasped, mulling over something.
There was also a person present, clad in all black, with a restrained aura and no sense of presence as if there was no such person in the room. He was kneeling on the ground and spoke in a flat, undulating voice.
“Replying to your majesty, no harm.”
“It seems that flogging her fifty times wasn’t that hard. It's good that she isn’t dead, you continue to monitor.”
“Yes.”
“Has he visited?”
“Not even once.”
“If someone accuses him of being unfilial, I wonder how that would be...”
“Shadow Five understands.”
The enigmatic figure donned in black turned away, and his back shrouded in unfathomable, profound depth cast a tall shadow in the Imperial Study room. Seeing this, the man clad in black flickered slightly and disappeared in place.
Chief Liu, who was standing still on the side in silence, spoke, “Your Majesty, there is news from the Empress that the gu hasn’t been cured yet and it would take time for His Highness to learn Tianyin.”
The figure with his back to him remained motionless, but the change in his aura did not escape Chief Liu's eyes. After following His Majesty for so many years, how could he not know that His Majesty was in a bad mood? But the following words still had to be said.
“His Royal Highness wants you to not worry and just take care of the affairs of the palace. There are Hong Qi and Ying Ran with him and he will take care of himself on the Lofty Mountain.”
“What else?” Qi Xutian asked in a deep voice.
Chief Liu hesitated for a moment and said, “Shadow One has been sent back.”
After a long silence, Qi Xutian turned around and sighed helplessly, “I know MingEr's temperament, let him.” Fortunately, there was still Wu Yao there, so even if Shadow One had returned, he did not have to worry about MingEr's safety.
“The weather will turn cold soon; you arrange for some additional clothes to be sent to MingEr.”
“Yes, this minister will make proper arrangements.”
“Just go to the treasury, it still has some items from those who paid tribute before, some good-quality cloud quilt and silk brocade. Take it all out, prepare more, and show me the list of items before sending them.”
Chief Liu took note of them all, he naturally knew how important His Highness Mingyue was in His Majesty's heart.
Only those who considered themselves clever would think that His Royal Highness had fallen out of favour and do some foolish things. Unfortunately, what was waiting for them wasn’t favour and prosperity that they hoped for, rather...
Indus: No, I didn’t miss anything. This is the end of the chapter. (^o^)
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