Chapter Eleven: The Imperial Edict

The cold moon smiled lightly, her lips pressed together. "Young Master Lu risked his own life to save His Majesty. Naturally, the emperor wishes to show you some favor." Cold Moon was clever enough not to say that she had chosen the gift herself.

Lu Jue was silent for a moment. "Miss Cold Moon, I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s kindness. Saving the emperor was simply what I ought to do. I am merely the son of a disgraced official; how could I dare to accept a gift from His Majesty?"

"This gift—please, Miss Cold Moon, return it," Lu Jue insisted, refusing to accept the present and handing it back to her.

Cold Moon gave Lu Jue a formal bow. "Young Master Lu, please do not hastily decline. I have a favor to ask of you."

Lu Jue hesitated. "Miss Cold Moon, if there is anything you require of me, so long as it is within my power, I shall do all I can to assist you."

She bowed again. "I humbly ask that you protect His Majesty."

Lu Jue smiled. "Miss Cold Moon, I am but a servant. Such matters are for the Imperial Guards to handle."

Cold Moon bit her lip. "Young Master Lu, this morning, His Majesty and I saw you practicing martial arts in the imperial gardens."

Before Lu Jue could respond, Cold Moon continued, "His Majesty did not look pleased at the time, as though blaming you for disregarding your health. Upon returning to the palace, His Majesty instructed me to prepare these things for you. Surely, Young Master Lu, you understand the emperor’s intentions."

She spoke as a statement of fact.

Lu Jue said nothing more. He accepted the gifts brought by Cold Moon, put them away carefully, then returned. "I wish to see His Majesty."

Cold Moon smiled. "Very well, please follow me, Young Master Lu."

She led Lu Jue to the doors of the hall, went inside to announce his arrival, and soon returned. "His Majesty will see you now."

Lu Jue entered the great hall and bowed to Feng Yewu. Feng Yewu waved the courtesy aside and set aside the memorials she had been reviewing.

Feng Yewu spoke plainly. "I wish you to teach me martial arts."

Lu Jue frowned slightly. "Your Majesty is burdened with the affairs of state; how can you spend your days wielding sword and spear? I am determined to protect you."

Feng Yewu looked at Lu Jue, who stood before her with lowered head, but said nothing. Then she rose gracefully, her long robe trailing as she descended the steps of the hall to stand before him.

Sensing her approach, Lu Jue was startled and knelt, placing his hands on the floor, fearing his refusal had angered her. He rushed to explain, his tone anxious:

"Swords know no mercy. Your Majesty’s person is sacred and destined. If you were to be injured by accident, I could not bear the blame."

"You need not be alarmed," Feng Yewu replied calmly, glancing briefly at Cold Moon standing nearby. Cold Moon bowed and quickly brought over a thick stack of documents from Feng Yewu’s desk, handing them to her.

"See for yourself," Feng Yewu said, tossing the documents onto the floor before Lu Jue’s hands, then turning toward the suspended wooden screen, feeling the faint fragrance carried by the breeze from outside—the scent swept through the open doors, playfully brushing a few stray locks at Lu Jue’s temples as he began to rise.

"What is this..." Lu Jue’s first reaction was confusion, unsure of Feng Yewu’s intent. He glanced up for guidance, then lowered his head again.

Feng Yewu gave no answer, and Lu Jue asked no further questions. The sheets in his hands already held the answer.

Lu Jue read with utmost care. The more he read, the more astonished he became. In the tranquil air, a gentle breeze stirred the petals of peach blossoms placed in a corner of the hall.

At some point, Cold Moon had quietly withdrawn. Now, only Feng Yewu and Lu Jue remained.

"Have you finished reading?" After some time, perhaps feeling a chill, Feng Yewu broke the silence, her words punctuated by the crisp sound of Lu Jue turning the pages.

"Your Majesty, your wishes are clear to me now," he replied.

Lu Jue quietly placed the documents on the floor. What he had read left his heart in turmoil; at this moment, he understood even more clearly what this woman before him would have to face.

Knowing he could not refuse, Lu Jue steeled himself further. He understood now that what lay ahead for him was unforeseeable.

"Do you not think I am being rather willful?" Feng Yewu heard Lu Jue’s reply and nodded with satisfaction, though there was a trace of confusion in her eyes.

Outside the hall, Cold Moon had been waiting for some time. Perhaps guessing that the conversation was nearly over, she entered with a long robe that had been warmed in advance.

"Your Majesty, the wind outside is a bit chilly. Please put this on."

Lu Jue was about to say something, but seeing Cold Moon enter, he simply bowed again in silence.

"Rise. From this day forth, you shall stay by my side; it will make instruction more convenient," Feng Yewu said.

Assisted by Cold Moon, Feng Yewu donned a pale blue gauze robe. With a wave of her sleeve, she strode toward the doors of the hall.

A faint sandalwood fragrance lingered in the air, teasing Lu Jue’s cheeks as Feng Yewu departed—a scent more exquisite than any Lu Jue had ever known.

"Young Master Lu, did you not hear what Her Majesty just said? Why are you dawdling? Hurry up and follow!" Just as Lu Jue was lost in the lingering sandalwood, Cold Moon—who had quietly slipped out—suddenly reappeared beside the door, playfully resting against the doorframe, calling to him with a bright smile and a cocked head.

"Ah, I’m coming at once," he replied.