Chapter 5: The Name I Bestowed

“Huang—”

“Shut up!” Just as Qiu Jinshan opened his mouth, he was rebuked by the Emperor.

“I will ask one more time: who are you?”

“This... this humble girl is Qiu Liyue!” Qiu Lixing’s voice was as thin as a mosquito's buzz.

“She is Qiu Liyue, then who are you?”

“Reporting to His Majesty, this humble girl is Qiu Lixing!” Ignoring the astonishment of the crowd, Qiu Liyue continued immediately, “A few days ago, this humble girl fell into the water, was unable to eat or take medicine, and was tripping all day long. My mother was very worried and invited a Taoist priest for me. He said my name clashed with my birth date, and the solution was to exchange names with my younger sister, Qiu Lixing. However, as the time has been short, I had a slip of the tongue and accidentally reported my original name, Qiu Liyue. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!”

In just a few short sentences, Qiu Liyue had explained the matter clearly. Although she repeatedly claimed that Yun Ruo was acting solely out of concern for her, how many of those present—whether palace officials, ministers, or noble ladies—were not shrewd individuals? They understood the truth of the matter instantly.

“This Palace has a new batch of green chrysanthemums blooming. Would the lords and ladies care to take a look?” The Empress spoke, and without waiting for an answer, she took the lead in departing.

The rest of the crowd, naturally understanding the subtext, hurriedly rose to follow the Empress. An Xiaoman pulled Qiu Liyue along to follow the crowd.

A moment later, only the Emperor, Qiu Jinshan, Yun Ruo, and Qiu Lixing remained.

“Lord Qiu, Lady Qiu, do you truly have nothing to say?” the Emperor spoke coldly. So, these were the subjects he had trusted. Hehe.

“Please forgive us, Your Majesty!” Qiu Jinshan rose, knelt, and kowtowed. Yun Ruo pulled at Qiu Lixing, and the two of them knelt as well.

“Forgive you? What crime have you committed that warrants my forgiveness?”

“Your Majesty, please allow this servant a word.” Yun Ruo suppressed the world-turning fury and shock in her heart. She had calculated everything, yet she had never anticipated that Qiu Liyue would be so bold.

“Speak!”

“Liyue could not eat or take medicine a few days ago. The manor physician and the doctors from Xingren Hall all examined her and said her health was perfectly fine. Only then did I take the liberty of inviting a Taoist priest. I had originally planned to report this matter to Your Majesty personally after today's banquet, but who could have expected this situation to arise.”

The more Yun Ruo spoke, the more fluent she became. She lifted her head to look at the Emperor and continued, “Although Liyue is not my biological daughter, she is, after all, my direct niece and my sister's only bloodline. How could I possibly...”

As Yun Ruo spoke, a few more tears squeezed from the corners of her eyes.

Seeing Yun Ruo in such a state, the Emperor could not help but sigh. He looked toward Qiu Lixing and asked, “Then what is the matter with your birthmark?”

“I saw that Sister's birthmark was extremely beautiful, so I imitated it,” Qiu Lixing said softly.

The Emperor let out a long breath. If it were a coincidence, it would be fine; Qiu Jinshan had once held feelings for him, and entrusting his daughter to his sister should not have caused any issues.

Yun Ruo also breathed a long sigh of relief in her heart. Fortunately, she had explained the matter regarding the birthmark to Xing'er beforehand; it seemed today's incident could be brushed aside.

“Xiao Shunzi, go summon the Empress and Qiu Liyue!” Although things were as they were, this child was protected by the Empress Dowager. Since he had not seen her for fourteen years, he decided he must ask her about certain matters. The Emperor made up his mind.

The relief Yun Ruo had just felt rose again upon hearing the Emperor's words. At this moment, her heart was filled with regret. If she had known, she never should have let this girl enter the palace; it was truly a disastrous move.

“This humble girl, Qiu Lixing, greets Your Majesty!” The summoned Qiu Liyue performed her salutations.

“Imperial Uncle, Liyue fell into the water again just now. It seems what that Taoist said was inaccurate as well!” An Xiaoman, who had come along with Qiu Liyue, spoke up upon hearing Qiu Liyue call herself Qiu Lixing again.

“Fell into the water again? When did this happen?” The Emperor's expression changed.

Fell into the water? As expected! If she were wearing that red brocade dress along with that attire, it would be strange if the Emperor didn't recognize her. Fell into the water? This dead girl was quite lucky. Only now did Yun Ruo understand why Qiu Liyue had suddenly changed her clothes.

“It happened just as the Hundred Flowers Banquet began. I was the one who saved her. Oh, right, Imperial Uncle, I fetched a set of clothes for her from that courtyard in the West Garden. You won't blame me, will you?” An Xiaoman said, her eyes blinking with a cautious expression.

“I was wondering why this girl's dress looked so familiar. So that's why!” the Empress said intentionally. She had noticed the issue with the dress the moment she first saw Qiu Liyue, but since the Emperor did not ask, she naturally would not speak.

“It was Xiaoman who saw that my clothes were soaked through and took the liberty of fetching clothes for me. If Your Majesty wishes to blame someone, please blame this humble girl!” Qiu Liyue said, looking at the Emperor's darkened face.

“Since you still fall into the water even after changing your name, then do not change it! Your name shall be Liyue; this is a name bestowed by Me!” The Emperor gave Qiu Liyue an approving glance. Although these words were directed at her, they were a warning to Qiu Jinshan and Yun Ruo.

Qiu Liyue's eyes widened in surprise. She glanced at Qiu Jinshan and Yun Ruo, but seeing the two of them lowering their heads in silence, it seemed to be true. Her name was actually bestowed by the Emperor? This was likely why Yun Ruo had insisted she speak up to exchange names with Qiu Lixing.

“Miss An, your dress is ready!” A palace maid brought a folded dress to An Xiaoman.

“Yours?” The Empress suspiciously shook out the dress. It was exactly the red brocade dress Qiu Liyue had been wearing when she fell into the water. “The fabric is good, and the color is good, but when put together...” The Empress paused. “This is not a dress for you to wear. I will send you a few sets later.”

Looking at the unfurled red dress, Yun Ruo's face instantly turned pale.

“This isn't mine. Auntie, this is the dress Liyue was wearing when she fell into the water. It's red, just like mine!” An Xiaoman said. This was clearly a dress for a grown woman; just by looking at it, she knew that Qiu Liyue's mother did not treat her well. Seeing how pitiful she was, she decided to help her.

The Emperor's face, which had just softened, instantly clouded over again.

“It is—” Yun Ruo tried to speak.

“Shut up!” the Emperor snapped, then glanced at the Empress.

“Liyue, do you like red?” The Empress placed the dress back on the tray and asked Qiu Liyue with a beaming smile.

Qiu Liyue shifted her gaze from the Emperor to the Empress and said respectfully, “Mother says red suits this humble girl very well.”

The Empress had asked if she liked red, but she only said that her mother said red suited her. The meaning was clear: red was a color Yun Ruo liked, and it had nothing to do with her.

“Do you like the color of the dress you are wearing now?”

“It is very good. This humble girl likes it very much.”

“By the way, how did you fall into the water?” The Empress suddenly changed the subject.

Yun Ruo also pricked up her ears. How did she fall into the water? If it weren't for the incident of falling into the water, they wouldn't be in this predicament.

“This...” Qiu Liyue looked toward Yun Ruo. That unintentional glance made Yun Ruo even more furious; wasn't she clearly implying that her falling into the water was somehow connected to her?

“Speak freely! Lady Qiu must also be very concerned about Miss Liyue.” The Empress smiled and cast a sidelong glance at Yun Ruo.

“Yes, Liyue, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't be hesitant; Her Majesty the Empress will ensure justice for you,” Yun Ruo said in a low voice, suppressing her rage.