08 The Number One Scholar's Wife in a Monarch-Minister Story

The sun in the sky gradually slanted westward, and the flower-viewing banquet was drawing to a close.

In fact, the Empress Dowager had left the banquet early, claiming she was tired, and the Emperor had not shown his face all day. As a result, the Imperial Garden remained lively and relaxed.

“Chen Yao, if you have free time next time, be sure to come to the Qu residence and visit me.”

As she was about to leave, Qu Zhujun grabbed Chen Yao’s hand, gave it a gentle shake, and said playfully.

“Mn, I will.” Chen Yao’s eyes curved into a light smile.

Yuan Wangshu couldn't stand it anymore. She pulled the young woman over to her side and shot her friend a sidelong glance. “Alright, I’ve never seen you so reluctant to part with me.”

“It’s just you and me here,” Qu Zhujun said, curling her lips and placing her hands on her hips with an air of arrogance. “Even if I didn’t say it, would you dare not come find me?”

“That’s hard to say.” Yuan Wangshu raised an eyebrow, shooting back without hesitation.

Chen Yao watched them trade barbs, each word seemingly full of mutual disdain, yet the familiarity in their tone was something no one else could intrude upon.

She lowered her head slightly, unable to resist lifting her silk handkerchief to hide a smile, a glimmer of laughter blooming in her bright, watery eyes.

At that moment, a small eunuch—slight of stature but clever-looking—hurried up from the distance.

“Madam Shen, please wait a moment.”

Chen Yao felt a flicker of confusion. She blinked and asked softly, “May I ask what this eunuch needs?”

“This servant’s name is Xiao Guizi,” the young eunuch said, bowing respectfully.

“To report to Madam Shen: the Empress Dowager happened to notice that you seemed to enjoy the Jade Leaf Lotus Flower Crisp at the banquet, so she specially ordered the imperial kitchen to steam a fresh batch, for you to take back and enjoy.”

Yuan Wangshu and Qu Zhujun, who had been bickering just a moment ago, both fell silent, then couldn’t help exchanging glances.

They couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: it seemed the Empress Dowager truly cared a great deal about Xie Chenyao, even noticing how many pastries she had eaten.

“The Empress Dowager is too kind.”

Chen Yao nearly choked on her words, unable to stop herself from complaining to System 04, “Even stealing a few extra pastries gets noticed—isn’t that a bit ridiculous?”

No wonder in the plotline, the female supporting character mistakenly thought the Empress Dowager truly favored her—anyone would overthink it under these circumstances.

System 04 didn’t respond to her tangent, only reminding her with a tone of exasperation, “Mind your character. The vicious female supporting character you’re playing isn’t some foodie.”

“Alright, alright.” Chen Yao answered half-heartedly.

But no matter what she thought internally, she still bowed politely to express her gratitude. “Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s concern.”

“In that case, I’ll wait for you in the carriage,” Yuan Wangshu said promptly.

Chen Yao was about to thank her when she heard the little eunuch hasten to add, “The Empress Dowager has already ordered a palanquin to be prepared; it will escort Madam Shen back to her residence directly. Rest assured, Miss Yuan.”

“That works too.” Yuan Wangshu nodded with a light smile. “Then I’ll head home first.”

Chen Yao said her goodbyes to both Yuan Wangshu and Qu Zhujun, then turned to the little eunuch and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Eunuch Gui.”

“You’re too polite, Madam Shen.” The young eunuch quickly bowed again.

Chen Yao then followed him toward the imperial kitchen.

Of course, she didn’t know the way through the palace. She simply let the little eunuch lead the way, following him quietly deeper into the Imperial Garden without a second thought.

The sky gradually darkened, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled over the lush branches and leaves on either side of the path, gilding them in a layer of golden gauze.

Chen Yao tread along the bluestone bricks, noticing that the further she walked, the more silent the entire Imperial Garden became.

A gentle evening breeze swept by, and the tree shadows in front of her swayed slightly, making soft “rustling” sounds.

“I have a feeling of foreboding,” Chen Yao said as she walked, but she couldn't help speaking in a deep tone in her mind.

Before System 04 could respond, she turned a corner just ahead.

In the span of a single distracted moment, the little eunuch walking in front of her vanished into thin air, as if he had evaporated into nothing.

Chen Yao: “…”

System 04 then answered her previous comment. “Well, looks like your premonition came true.”

“Could there be some sinister scheme?” Chen Yao couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment.

But she simply couldn’t figure it out, so she shook her head. “But who in this palace would target me? Or rather, is this to strike at the female lead through me? That doesn’t make sense either, right?”

System 04 was uncertain as well, so it could only say, “Perhaps it’s simply that you’re walking too slowly, so you lost sight of him.”

Chen Yao refused to second-guess herself, quickly refuting, “Hmph, I don’t believe it. There’s definitely a trap.”

She stopped in place beneath a tall catalpa tree at the corner. Above her head, pale purple blossoms bloomed at the tips of the branches, as if shrouded in a mist of purple haze.

Chen Yao reached up and plucked a catalpa flower that hung within reach, lowering her head to gently pluck at its petals.

Though she said as much to System 04, in truth, she didn’t really believe there was any hidden scheme.

After all, according to the plotline, the two highest powers in the palace—the Emperor and the Empress Dowager—could both be considered allies of the female lead. There was simply no reason for them to scheme against a supporting character like her.

She was the only one around, and the entire Imperial Garden was unnaturally silent, as if only a faint sound of wind remained.

That was until a steady, measured footfall approached from the side, unhurried, growing nearer.

Chen Yao instantly raised her head and saw, through the gradually dimming twilight, a tall figure suddenly appear in her line of sight.

Because he stood with his back to the light, his features were hidden in the shadows and unclear. All she could see was his silhouette stretched long by the setting sun, as if it were about to completely engulf her.

Ahh—what is that, a slenderman?!

Chen Yao covered her lips, startled so badly she nearly wanted to scream.

Even though System 04 quickly reminded her that the man before her was actually the male lead, Xiao Mingting, she still looked as if she had been frightened to tears, stumbling backward two quick steps.

“Careful.”

Noticing that Chen Yao, in her panic, was unsteady on her feet and about to fall to the ground, Xiao Mingting abandoned all pretense of keeping his distance and stepped forward quickly, seizing her slim wrist and pulling her into his arms.

Once again, holding the young woman in his arms, he lowered his head, his gaze deep as he looked at her, his voice heavy. “This is the second time We have saved you, Xie… Madam Shen.”

The title “Madam Shen” on his lips, Xiao Mingting felt his heart, still pounding rapidly just a moment ago, freeze over as if doused in ice water.

He took a deep breath, but his broad palm remained firmly clamped around the young woman’s waist, unwilling to let go immediately.

“Your— Your Majesty?” Chen Yao looked up from his embrace, her face bewildered.

The young woman’s apricot-shaped eyes were damp, and her rims were red as well. A trace of tears clung to her long lashes, giving her a pitifully delicate look.