Chapter 9: Meeting the Emperor

This was the scene Bei Jiqi encountered upon entering.

On the soft couch, the woman’s face was veiled by a gauze scarf, her movements elegant, and her exposed eyes as calm as still water. Holding a teacup, she took light sips of the tea. All three possessed expressions of tranquility, without a hint of complaint.

"The Emperor arrives!" The eunuch's voice was drawn out in its characteristic long drone. Mo Lian set down her teacup and stood up simultaneously with Qi Shuang. They had known of Bei Jiqi's approach from the moment he drew near, but they simply did not care much.

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Both were arrogant individuals, so they merely bowed slightly to show respect. Jiu Chou was originally Mo Lian's person, so he acted just as Mo Lian did.

It was fortunate that the current Emperor was a man of reason and discernment, and thus did not intend to punish them for this. Of course, the most important reason was that they were people from the Snowy Mountains.

"Rise!" Bei Jiqi waved a hand and sat in the main seat.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The three rose, though Jiu Chou remained standing beside Mo Lian.

"How should I address you two?" the Emperor inquired softly. This stunned the surrounding eunuchs—was this truly that brilliant, mighty, decisive, and resolute Emperor?

"Commoner Qi Shuang," "Commoner Mo Lian." Neither person's demeanor changed in the slightest due to the Emperor's attitude.

The Emperor nodded, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes, even if only for a moment. In his heart, he couldn't help but marvel: *To possess such poise at such a young age, they will surely be rare talents in the future.*

"Is the Divine Physician well?" Bei Jiqi looked at the two and asked.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, my master is doing well." Mo Lian did not speak; the one who answered was Qi Shuang. Mo Lian noticed that ever since the Emperor entered, he had been staring at her from time to time, his gaze carrying curiosity and a trace of anticipation. What... was he anticipating?

"That is very good!" The Emperor took a light sip of tea and looked toward Mo Lian and the others again.

"Your Majesty, my master instructed me to hand this over to you." Mo Lian took the letter from her sleeve and presented it before her chest.

"Bring it forward," the Emperor signaled to the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch stepped forward quickly, took the letter, and promptly returned to the Emperor's side. The Emperor opened the envelope, observing Mo Lian as he read.

To be fair, it wasn't that the Emperor lacked vigilance, but rather that he had long ago sent secret guards to investigate. He had received word that Mo Lian and the others were indeed recent arrivals; furthermore, no one would dare easily impersonate people from the Snowy Mountains, even if they were few and far between. Additionally, the ten-year pact had arrived, and of those who knew of this matter, no one besides him and Xue Yin knew; the people from those years had long since been ordered to their deaths. Therefore, he could face Mo Lian and the others without any reservations.

Mo Lian saw that as Bei Jiqi looked at the envelope, the excitement on his face intensified. He looked at her repeatedly, his gaze fervent. If Bei Jiqi had been gentle with them just now out of respect for the Snowy Mountains, then at this moment, he was showing his true self. Mo Lian did not know what her master had written; although she had carried the item on her person the whole time, she had never felt the slightest curiosity. Now, watching Bei Jiqi's reaction, Mo Lian guessed that the contents were likely related to her. However, she did not understand—did she have some connection to this Imperial Family?

Qi Shuang naturally noticed Bei Jiqi's behavior and the change in his attitude. He was also full of doubt. Why was this happening? Was it related to Lian'er? He looked toward Mo Lian, knowing that she, too, was unaware of the underlying mystery.

After reading the letter twice, Bei Jiqi tucked the paper away. His face was filled with excitement; as expected.

"Good, wonderful!"

Bei Jiqi delighted in his own happiness, leaving the crowd in a state of confusion. The eunuchs were even more bewildered; they had never seen the Emperor this happy. However, the Emperor had no intention of explaining.

"Lian'er, why don't you stay in the palace today? Tomorrow, I have something to announce." Bei Jiqi looked toward Mo Lian, his manner of address having become extremely intimate.

Mo Lian frowned. *We are not close.* But... thinking that matters were still unclear, she replied

"Yes, I shall follow Your Majesty's command," she said, lowering her head slightly.

"Arrange it immediately. Quickly have Ningyan Court cleaned," Bei Jiqi said to the Chief Eunuch. He then turned back to Mo Lian.

"Lian'er, you shall rest well here in the palace." Having spoken, the Emperor rose.

"The Emperor takes his palanquin!"

"Respectfully seeing off the Emperor!"

After the Emperor departed, a eunuch led Mo Lian and the others toward Ningyan Court. It had to be said, the scale of the Imperial Palace was unimaginable.