H! GVCP Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Audience with the Emperor

When Emperor Jianyuan received word that the County Princess of the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion was entering the palace to give thanks, he was in quite a good mood.

As Deng Cang served tea to the Emperor, the Emperor recalled that he had sent Deng Cang personally to the Prince's Mansion. 

He asked, "I remember you saying back then that County Princess Mingzhu was quite seriously injured?"

Deng Cang maintained a respectful stance, bowing his head as he confirmed this.

"Ten days have passed, and she is already able to come and give thanks; her physical constitution is indeed quite good." 

Emperor Jianyuan, holding a memorial in his hand, said to Deng Cang, "The Prince of Zhennan submitted a memorial a few days ago requesting that the Heir’s Consort come to the capital to look after County Princess Mingzhu. I have granted it."

Deng Cang smiled and said, "Your Majesty is merciful and kind. With such grace, County Princess Mingzhu will surely be moved to tears of gratitude." 

Emperor Jianyuan laughed with satisfaction; Deng Cang’s words hit the mark perfectly.

He viewed his permission for the Heir’s Consort to enter the capital as a generous gift to the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion.

At this moment, Yu Lingzhao was also departing from the Prince’s Mansion, preparing for her audience in the palace.

Today, she wore her formal rank robes as a County Princess. Her figure was slender, clad in a purple flower-patterned silk robe embroidered with gold thread and Phoenix-and-Peony motifs. 

Over it was a bamboo-green fur cloak embroidered with gold-thread flying phoenix patterns, which further emphasized her cold, arrogant, and noble temperament.

On her head, she wore a kingfisher-feather phoenix hairpin with curled-wing tails holding a single-drop tassel at the front. 

Her temples were adorned with blue-enameled filigree hairpins, and the side of her hair bun featured a coral and turquoise bead flower. 

Tucked into the back of her hair was a half-moon-shaped comb made of coral, tortoiseshell, and amber. 

She looked elegant, magnificent, and possessed an overwhelming presence.

After Feiyu and Zhaixing finished assisting the County Princess with her dressing, they were once again stunned by her beauty.

Even though they had served the County Princess for many years, every time they saw her in full regalia, they would still marvel at her. 

How could such peerless beauty exist in this world?

Their County Princess had possessed outstanding looks since childhood; in the entire Southern border, there was no girl more beautiful.

Even here in the capital, the County Princess’s appearance remained that of a top-tier, peerless beauty.

Yu Lingzhao looked into the life-sized bronze mirror and was very satisfied with her magnificent appearance and imposing aura.

"Let’s go."

With a command from Yu Lingzhao, they departed from Chaoyang Residence. At the manor gates, a carriage was already waiting.

Guan Xiao, with his sword at his side, guarded the carriage. Feiyu helped her County Princess into the carriage, where she saw that her third brother was already inside.

This wasn't the first time Yu Xunyang had seen his sister in full dress, yet he still stared blankly for a moment. 

Immediately after, a sense of irritation rose in his heart.

His Zhaozhao was so beautiful; he wondered which lucky brat would eventually get to marry her!

The carriage started moving. Yu Lingzhao and Yu Xunyang sat facing each other, with Feiyu keeping watch in the outer compartment of the carriage.

Yu Xunyang peeked at his sister several times, feeling increasingly distressed.

Yu Lingzhao couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. 

Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly: "Third Brother, what is the matter?"

Seeing his sister’s oblivious look, Yu Xunyang grew even more annoyed. "Thinking about the fact that Zhaozhao will have to get married and have children in the future, I already feel like gritting my teeth at that future brother-in-law!"

Yu Lingzhao couldn't help but burst out laughing. Yu Xunyang was still huffing, but hearing his sister’s laughter, he knew he was worrying far too early.

"Third Brother need not worry. I will surely find someone handsome, so as not to suffer a loss."

Yu Lingzhao was in the mood to joke about her own marriage, but Yu Xunyang remembered that this trip to the capital was fundamentally for Emperor Jianyuan to choose a husband for his sister, and his mood soured instantly.

Seeing her brother being so childish, Yu Lingzhao was somewhat between tears and laughter: "Third Brother, this trip is to go into the palace."

Reminded by his sister, Yu Xunyang had no choice but to restrain his temper, lest people see his unhappiness and mistake it for disrespect toward the Emperor.

The carriage stopped at Chengtian Gate. Yu Xunyang stepped down first and stood by the carriage, helping Yu Lingzhao descend along with Feiyu.

Just as Yu Lingzhao stepped down, she saw an elegant and frail figure walking past the other side of Chengtian Gate. 

He looked somewhat familiar.

The figure vanished so quickly she couldn't immediately recall who it was.

Seeing Yu Lingzhao’s gaze fall there, a small eunuch whispered, "That is the Marquis of Changling, the son of the late Grand Princess Dingjia and the State Duke of Rui."

The Marquis of Changling?

Yu Lingzhao was stunned for a moment. Wasn't this the 'super villain' from the novel?!

The super-villain who slays gods if gods stand in his way, slays Buddhas if Buddhas stand in his way, and even nearly killed the male lead?!

Yu Lingzhao’s heart raced. She wanted to take another look, but the man had already boarded his carriage and departed.

The little eunuch led the way for Yu Lingzhao; however curious she was, she had to endure it for now, as entering the palace was the priority.

What Yu Lingzhao did not know was that the person in that carriage lifted the curtain and cast a deep, lingering look at her just as she turned to walk further into the imperial palace.

Emperor Jianyuan usually received officials at Wenhua Hall, and today, Yu Lingzhao and Yu Xunyang were also led there.

Upon entering Wenhua Hall, the Yu siblings knelt in unison. 

"This subject daughter/this subordinate official greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live."

Yu Xunyang held a position as a subordinate official of the Prince’s Mansion, so it was permissible for him to refer to himself as a subordinate when meeting the Emperor.

"Rise. Grant them seats."

Emperor Jianyuan set down his memorial and looked at the siblings kneeling in the hall, one possessed a proud and noble aura, while the other was dignified and imposing.

Yu Lingzhao curtsied again to give thanks: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. This subject daughter is profoundly grateful."

Seeing that Yu Lingzhao seemed to have recovered well, Emperor Jianyuan said, "I am relieved to see you have recovered. It was Qing'an who was reckless; I have already punished her."

Emperor Jianyuan mentioned Princess Qing'an specifically to see how Yu Lingzhao would react.

Yu Lingzhao thought to herself that Emperor Jianyuan was cunning; the old fox asked directly without any pleasantries.

"Your Majesty is wise. Having had Your Majesty uphold justice for me, this subject daughter is no longer angry."

Emperor Jianyuan had expected to hear Yu Lingzhao say she wouldn't dare hold a grudge, but he hadn't expected her to state so directly that she was now no longer angry.

Bold and interesting.

"Does that mean if I had not punished Princess Qing'an, you would still be angry?"

Emperor Jianyuan stared intently at Yu Lingzhao's expression, wanting to see her next move.

Yu Lingzhao stood up, gave another salute to Emperor Jianyuan, and admitted to his suspicion with neither fear nor favor: "Reporting to Your Majesty, yes."

Emperor Jianyuan narrowed his eyes slightly. Standing to the side, Deng Cang watched with trepidation. 

This little County Princess was truly daring, she actually dared to pluck the dragon's whiskers!

One must know that when the Emperor made such an expression, it signaled that his mood was currently quite poor.

"Do you know what you are saying?" Emperor Jianyuan's aura turned cold. 

Beside him, Deng Cang was already beginning to worry about what punishment the little County Princess might receive.

Yu Lingzhao nodded and said clearly, "This subject daughter knows. However, I also know that Your Majesty will not take offense at my minor temper."

Emperor Jianyuan’s brow relaxed slightly as he followed her lead and asked, "How do you dare to guess my thoughts?"

Instead of being afraid, Yu Lingzhao smiled. She said, "I am not guessing Your Majesty's thoughts, but rather my father's."

"Oh? Your father's thoughts? Speak then. If you speak well, I shall not take offense with you." 

Emperor Jianyuan was curious about her reasoning.

After all, the pressure of an Emperor was immense. Standing beside his sister, Yu Xunyang broke into a cold sweat upon hearing her being so incredibly audacious.

 

>>H! GVCP Chapter 19