Chapter Two: Lu Jue

“You make me sick just looking at you! Even a stroll in the Imperial Garden is ruined by the likes of you, pathetic wretch! Hmph! Let’s go!” The heir, apparently exhausted from his tirade, spat a few more curses before striding off with his attendants in tow.

The one he scorned, however, did not respond in the slightest. After offering a proper bow to the retreating back of the heir, he turned to leave, only to come face to face with Feng Yewu, who emerged from the bamboo thicket.

Seeing his face in full view, Feng Yewu paused for a moment. The man was strikingly handsome, his eyes deep and bright, a faint, unrestrained smile at the corner of his lips—a true gentleman, unrivaled in bearing.

She was not dressed in her phoenix robes; naturally, he could not recognize her. Feng Yewu’s expression remained cool as ever. “I’ve been listening for a while. He insulted you terribly. Don’t you have any temper? Or are you holding something back?”

The man was taken aback, then offered a helpless smile. “It was nothing more than a whim of His Lordship. I, a lowly servant, dare not take it to heart.”

Despite such humble, self-effacing words, the man’s demeanor was still full of composed grace. Had Feng Yewu not noticed the faint detachment in his eyes and brow, she might have truly praised him as a man of heavenly bearing.

Neither servile nor arrogant—he did resemble her father somewhat in his manner. Yet, while her father was mostly enduring, this man seemed simply indifferent, unconcerned by it all.

Feng Yewu’s curiosity was piqued. “I’ve never seen you in the palace before.”

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow. “I entered the palace only recently, merely a servant attending His Majesty.”

Feng Yewu was taken aback. “Attending His Majesty? What is your name?” She was certain there was no trace of him in her five years’ memories of her previous life.

The man cast a curious glance at her, prompting Feng Yewu to add, as if to conceal her slip, “I am the lady official in charge of such matters; perhaps I overlooked you.”

He bowed again, polite and courteous. “Forgive me, My Lady. My given name is Lu Jue. I have not yet been assigned a servant’s name.”

Feng Yewu responded instinctively, “Your given name is fine; no need to change it.”

Lu Jue’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He replied, “Thank you for your praise, My Lady, but such matters must await His Majesty’s decision.”

A silence settled between them. Just as Lu Jue began to sense something amiss in their exchange, Feng Yewu, for once, smiled. “His Majesty has already decided.”

Like snow, peach blossoms fluttered through the air, and amidst their dazzling beauty, her smile was enough to steal one’s soul.

For a moment, Lu Jue was transfixed by the scene before him. Feng Yewu assumed he was stunned by her true identity, and in her heart she felt a childish glee at her successful mischief.

“You please me. Report to Weiyang Palace tomorrow and serve as my personal attendant,” Feng Yewu declared, then swept away with little regard for Lu Jue’s reaction.

Hanyue followed in her wake, leaving only scattered peach petals behind. Lu Jue stood there, dazed and unmoving.

After a long moment, he finally gathered himself, raised his hand to suppress his tangled thoughts, and bowed deeply to Feng Yewu’s departing figure. “As you command.”

A few days later, the Lantern Festival arrived.

As was custom, the palace was adorned with lanterns, and that evening a grand banquet would be held in the Palace of Revelry. All within the palace would join in merriment and celebration.

She thought back to her five years on the throne in her previous life, and realized she had never once allowed herself a day of enjoyment. Even the grandest New Year’s Eve feast saw her make only a brief appearance to distribute rewards, before returning to her study to resume political affairs.

Sensing her restlessness, the attendant maids dared not speak further, fearful of provoking her ire.

Feng Yewu took a deep breath, preparing to resume reading, when a sudden knock sounded at the door.

Hanyue moved past the screen, returning a moment later to announce with caution, “Your Majesty, it is the servant Lu Jue.”

Since their encounter a few days prior, Feng Yewu had kept Lu Jue by her side, always at her call.

“Let him in,” Feng Yewu replied offhandedly.

Lu Jue entered behind Hanyue. Upon seeing Feng Yewu, he offered a gentle smile and bowed. “Your Majesty.”

Feng Yewu acknowledged him with a hum, noticing something in his hands. Before she could inquire, Lu Jue stepped forward and set a small celadon bowl on her desk.

Steam curled up from the bowl—a serving of plump, white rice dumplings, their fragrance drifting through the room. Feng Yewu was surprised, looking up at Lu Jue. The handsome man smiled softly and elegantly. “Today is the Lantern Festival. Your Majesty has not left the study all day, so I took the liberty of making you a bowl of sweet dumplings. I hope Your Majesty will not mind.”

Gazing at the beautifully crafted dumplings, Feng Yewu’s lips curved into an unbidden, gentle smile. “You are thoughtful indeed. Tell me, what reward do you seek?”

At the mention of a reward, Lu Jue’s eyes darkened. After a brief silence, he said, “I wish only for Your Majesty to set aside official duties for a while, and attend tonight’s banquet for some rest and relaxation, lest you tire yourself.”

Feng Yewu was taken aback, looking into Lu Jue’s clear, deep eyes, which seemed to brim with unspoken emotion. A faint warmth bloomed in her heart, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “This is the first time I’ve heard such a request. Very well, it is granted.”

The Palace of Revelry.

Feng Yewu, adorned in her nine-heavens phoenix ceremonial gown, entered with Hanyue, Lu Jue, and a retinue of attendants following close behind. The palace was a riot of lanterns and festivity. All the servants and court officials knelt in greeting, their voices rising as one: “Long live the Emperor!”