The Prime Minister's White Moonlight - Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Inducement
Shen Zhuo did not return to the mansion with great fanfare, but Yun Li still noticed. Yun Li specifically went to the Floating Jade Pavilion to report to Madame Shen.
Madame Shen was blending perfume. Hearing the report, she glanced at Yun Li. “You are quite attentive to the young master.” It was a light, airy sentence, but with deep meaning, as Shen Zhuo had not come to pay his respects for quite some time.
Yun Li quickly knelt. “The young master is your own son, Madam. This servant only wishes to share your burden.” Madame Shen looked away. “Is that so?” Yet, she still used her index finger to lift Yun Li’s chin, examining the young face. “You are still young, but do not harbor improper thoughts. If Zhuo is truly had feelings for you, why would he not ask me?”
Yun Li lowered her head upon hearing this. “Thank you for the Madam’s instruction.” However, with her head bowed, Madame Shen naturally did not see the trace of reluctance still on her face. After assisting Madame Shen with her medicine, Yun Li withdrew.
She walked slowly to the kitchen. The kitchen staff, seeing her, naturally came forward eagerly. “Miss Yun, does the Madam want any food?”
Yun Li’s eyes darted around, and a plan formed in her mind. She said, “The Madam just took her medicine and doesn’t want to eat, but the young master has just returned, so the Madam instructed me to get a bowl of soup for the young master to nourish his body.”
The kitchen staff did not doubt the maidservant by Madame Shen’s side. They just said, “Then please wait a moment, Miss. I’ll go fetch it for you, alright?” Yun Li subtly nodded. After all, a maidservant by Madame Shen’s side had a different demeanor, and she didn’t want to appear timid.
The kitchen staff placed a food container in front of Yun Li and smiled fawningly. “Miss Yun, after you’re done with this errand, please put in a good word for this servant in front of the Madam.” Yun Li replied dismissively, “I know.” She carried the food container with her slender, delicate hands and walked gracefully toward Shen Zhuo’s residence.
Mo Chi, Shen Zhuo’s page, saw her and thought she was carrying out Madame Shen’s orders, so he did not stop her. Yun Li said naturally, “The Madam asked me to bring the young master a bowl of soup, presumably concerned that the hunt was very exhausting.” Mo Chi said, “The young master is in the study.”
Yun Li thanked him, carried the food container to the study. Indeed, Shen Zhuo was sitting at the desk, lost in thought. Even so, he still looked bright and noble. Yun Li gritted her teeth and softly called out, “Young Master.” Her tender voice would probably soften the heart of anyone who heard it.
Shen Zhuo turned to look at her. Seeing the food container, he said, “Put it down.” He was very indifferent, treating Yun Li as though she were invisible.
Yun Li knew this was her only chance to see Shen Zhuo. If Madame Shen found out, the consequences would be unimaginable. Since she had already reached this point, she might as well make the seduction more thorough.
Hearing footsteps, Shen Zhuo thought the person had left, but he didn’t expect Yun Li to press against his back as softly as a boneless body, with a pair of soft hands wrapped around his waist.
In the same soft, seductive tone, she pleaded, “This servant has admired the young master for a long time. Please have pity on me, Young Master.” Shen Zhuo pushed her away and then seriously looked at the maidservant. Under his gaze, Yun Li’s face flushed slightly, showing a girl’s shyness.
However, he remained indifferent. “You say you’ve admired me for a long time, but I am rarely at the mansion. Aside from the two or three times I’ve seen you when I went to pay my respects to my mother, how have you developed such deep feelings for me?”
Yun Li bit her lower lip, showing no fear of having her lie exposed. “This servant’s feelings are sincere. If the young master doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.”
Shen Zhuo sighed. “Then let me rephrase the question. If I didn’t have the status of the Young Master of the Shen family, would you still like me?”
Yun Li hesitated for just a moment. Shen Zhuo said, “See? All you love is this status.” Yun Li lowered her head. This was undeniable. She merely regarded Shen Zhuo as a stepping stone. She thought that a slight seduction would allow her to achieve her goal.
“You should leave,” Shen Zhuo finally said after a long time. “I will ask my mother to give you a sum of money and your deed of indenture. Take them with you.” Yun Li was a little surprised. “I thought the young master would tell the Madam.” Shen Zhuo sighed. Yun Li had never seen that expression on him before—it seemed both helpless and sorrowful. “I couldn’t save her, but I don’t want everyone to be as helpless as she was.”
Yun Li had heard that Shen Zhuo once had an fiancée, but when Yun Li entered the mansion, the engagement had already been canceled. She had only vaguely heard people mention it. She thought the “her” he spoke of must be the fiancée. Yun Li curtsied to Shen Zhuo. “The young master’s great kindness, Yun Li will never forget. If the young master ever has a need for Yun Li in the future, just tell me.”
“Alright,” Shen Zhuo casually agreed, though he didn’t think Yun Li could help him with anything. “You go out first. Don’t let anyone know about what happened today.” Yun Li agreed and left.
Shen Zhuo did not go to see Madame Shen until the next day. They dismissed everyone to talk. Soon, Yun Li received her own deed of indenture and a sum of money. Yun Li knew that he had probably agreed to something with Madame Shen. However, she knew she was insignificant. As she left the Shen Mansion, Yun Li took one last look at the splendid mansion. Yun Li still remembered the excitement of seeing the luxury everywhere when she first entered the Shen Mansion. Even the servants in the Shen Mansion ate and dressed better than poor people outside, but she still did not regret leaving the Shen Mansion.
Shen Zhuo was having breakfast with Madame Shen. Madame Shen looked at him lovingly. “Eat more. Look, you’ve lost a lot of weight after the hunt.” Shen Zhuo swallowed the last bite of the minced lung dish on the plate before saying, “Now that Yun Li is gone, Mother, do you need to add more people by your side?”
Madame Shen glanced at him. Although she tried to maintain an appearance of normalcy, she was much more distant than before. But it was better than him avoiding her altogether. So, she smiled and said, “Why worry about these things? I will give the order, and the housekeeper will handle it.”
Shen Zhuo nodded slightly. “Then I won’t disturb Mother. I’ll come to pay my respects in the evening.” Madame Shen still nodded with a smile. “I know you’re busy since you just returned. It’s fine if you come later. Just come when it’s time for dinner.”
After Shen Zhuo left, Madame Shen stood up. Guiyue carefully supported her. “Madam, slowly.” Guiyue had a gentle temperament and spoke softly, but her appearance was unremarkable. Madame Shen had thought that if she chastised Yun Li, Yun Li would abandon her intentions, but she turned out to be incredibly bold. However, for Shen Zhuo’s sake, she wouldn’t dwell on Yun Li’s transgression.
But thinking of the marriage Shen Zhuo consistently refused to agree to, Madame Shen was troubled again. She murmured in a low voice, “Is he still thinking about the one in the palace?” Guiyue didn’t hear clearly and asked, “Does the Madam have any instructions?”
Madame Shen shook her head. “It’s nothing. Go and instruct them to collect portraits of all the eligible noble young ladies in the city.” Guiyue did not ask why, only answering, “Yes, this servant will go and do it tomorrow.”
After giving the instructions, Guiyue supported Madame Shen to the Buddhist hall. The hall was filled with the scent of burned-out candles. This hall was specially built for the Madam by Lord Shen. Madame Shen looked at the luxurious golden statue of the Bodhisattva, knelt on the prayer cushion beside it, and prayed, “Bodhisattva above, please bless my son’s marriage to be smooth and for him to forget the person from the past.”
Hanbi leaned against the window frame of the Zhaoyue Palace. Outside the palace, the pomegranate blossoms had already faded, leaving only a patch of green leaves and green pomegranates.
Her injury was now much better. Zhao Yan was busy dealing with state affairs and ordering a thorough investigation into the Northern Di assassins, and he hadn’t visited Zhaoyue Palace for a long time. However, tonics were still sent to Zhaoyue Palace like a stream of water, indicating his favor.
Hua Wu brought a small celadon cup filled with bitter liquid. Hanbi merely glanced at it and said, “I won’t drink it.” Ningzhi tried to persuade her, “Zhaoyi, your injury will heal faster if you drink it. Don’t act like a child anymore.” Hanbi was good in every aspect, except that she didn’t like drinking medicine. Ningzhi then readily pulled out a box adorned with the pattern of a precious flower, which did not contain any valuable items but was full of candied fruits.
Sometimes, when Hua Wu felt she couldn’t manage Hanbi, she found that letting Ningzhi try was better. Indeed, looking at the candied fruits, Hanbi grunted, drank the medicine, put the cup aside, and picked two candied fruits to put in her mouth.
As if recalling something, Hanbi said, “Speaking of which, I used to hate bitter medicine the most, but back then, when I was frail, my family always coaxed me into taking it.” Hua Wu chuckled and said, “Sometimes I really feel that Zhaoyi is like a child in some ways.”
As the words left her mouth, Hua Wu realized she had misspoke. She glanced at Hanbi and relaxed when she saw her looking calm. Ningzhi smoothed things over. “If Zhaoyi needs to be coaxed to drink medicine, what is she if not a child?” Hua Wu looked at her gratefully. Although Ningzhi was younger than her, she was more mature.
After taking the medicine, Hanbi felt slightly tired. She asked the two to leave and then summoned Linglong. Although Hua Wu and Ningzhi were useful, they ultimately belonged to Zhao Yan. Some matters needed to be kept from them. Moreover, Linglong knew martial arts, so it was justifiable to bring her along when going out.
Hanbi handed her the written note. “Find a way to send this out.” Linglong looked at the wound on her chest. “Why didn’t you let me go with you during the hunt? Your two maidservants couldn’t protect you at all.” Hanbi looked at her lapis-lazuli-like golden eyes. Her fairer skin and high nose bridge than most people indicated Linglong’s difference. All this was because she had inherited features from her mother, who was from the Western Regions.
Hanbi spoke, her voice not as gentle as when speaking to the two maidservants, carrying a hint of indifference, just like when she spoke to Xi Wuming. “Because I needed to use Shen Zhuo, and the ‘scheme of inflicting injury on oneself’ was the best way.” Linglong frowned. “Did you not consider…”
“I’m gambling. What status do I have now that wasn’t gambled for?” Hanbi finally gave a small laugh. When she didn’t smile, she appeared cold; only when she smiled did she gain some softness. That’s why she often smiled when facing Zhao Yan.
Linglong fell silent. Her mother was a Hu Ji (Western courtesan) in the Jiaofang Division, responsible for teaching Western Region dances to the people in the Bureau. When she gave birth to her, she ran away with a Hu merchant. Linglong also grew up in the Jiaofang Division. She began practicing martial arts in her childhood to strengthen her body, simply because she wasn’t beautiful enough to be gentle, so she could only learn heroic dances.
When Hanbi first arrived at the Jiaofang, the first person she met was Linglong. As a newcomer, she was often bullied, and her food was frequently withheld. Linglong would share half of her food with her. Even so, the food was not good enough, far from the delicacies of the Cui Mansion, but Hanbi was not delicate.
Later, after Hanbi performed a dance, she brought Linglong into the palace with her. When Hanbi went to the temple for spiritual practice, Linglong stayed in the palace. Later, when she became a Zhaoyi, she brought Linglong back to her side. And during her years in the palace, Linglong had gathered a lot of information.