Untouchable Lovers

Chapter 96: Chapter 91: Visiting In Disguise

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“Xuan An, what has His Majesty been up to while I have not been at the palace?” Chu Yu slowly strolled through the palace grounds, walking and speaking to Xuan An by her side.

Xuan An was a eunuch who personally served Liu Ziyue and was often sent to lead Chu Yu through the palace. In fact, having visited the palace so many times, Chu Yu had already committed the necessary routes to memory. Now, the role of Xuan An was less about guiding the way and more about maintaining appearances and providing company for conversation.

Seizing the opportunities to lead the way, Chu Yu had given Xuan An a few favors. Over time, this clever little eunuch came to understand her intentions, and without Chu Yu having to ask, he would lower his eyes and selectively report on Liu Ziyue’s every word and action.

Ever since she began telling stories, Liu Ziyue had become much more well-behaved than before. He no longer flew into a rage at the slightest provocation, assaulting the people around him until they were battered and bleeding, nor did he punish any court officials whom he disliked. These days, he would sometimes be so lost in thought that he would burst into laughter, causing the palace attendants around him to feel both fear and bewilderment, unsure of what new whims he might be contemplating.

Upon hearing this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but feel a thrill of joy in her heart, thinking perhaps her stories had made an impact and Liu Ziyue had started to learn to think. If that were true, then her exhausting efforts coming to the palace these past days had not been in vain.

After meeting with Liu Ziyue, he dismissed everyone else and, as Chu Yu was about to close the door to start telling the story, she saw Liu Ziyue wave his hand, his face alight with a mysterious and excited smile. “Sister, I have been pondering for quite some time. How about we go on an incognito adventure today?”

Chu Yu was at first taken aback, but seeing the eager look on Liu Ziyue’s face, she understood. Although her stories had indeed influenced him, it was not in the way she had hoped. Liu Ziyue was at an age where fun and mischief appealed to him, and with no one to restrain him, her stories had not inspired him to become a wise ruler; instead, they had stirred his desire for incognito adventures.

Chu Yu internally reviewed her strategy, thinking there really was no better approach at the moment. If she were to tell the little emperor series with more gravitas, he likely wouldn’t have the patience to listen. For now, Liu Ziyue might be more playful, but at least he had somewhat reined in his brutal nature, which could be considered a favorable outcome.

Seeing Liu Ziyue so eager to try, Chu Yu knew it would be difficult to dissuade him. His request for her opinion was merely seeking affirmation. She couldn’t dampen his spirits at this moment, so she went along with his idea and said with a smile, “Indeed, if we encounter any troublemakers, we can easily deal with them. Your Majesty is surely no less capable than Emperor Kangxi.” After saying this, she felt nauseous, as the flattery was against her conscience.

However, Liu Ziyue very much enjoyed the compliment and let out a pleased cry. He was about to call servants in to prepare the travel carriage.

Chu Yu quickly held him back, saying, “Such a grand departure wouldn’t be an incognito excursion.” Somehow, she convinced Liu Ziyue to change into regular clothes. Chu Yu also borrowed a set of Liu Ziyue’s clothing. Her stature was quite tall among women, and Liu Ziyue was still a youth who hadn’t fully grown, so his clothes, while a bit too large for her, were not excessively so.

Clothed in their disguises, the two made their way towards the palace exit. Although they encountered guards who approached to ask where His Majesty intended to go, a stern glare from Liu Ziyue’s narrowed eyes would quiet them, intimated into silence and preventing further questioning, let alone obstruction. In this manner, the two managed to smoothly reach the exit of the Imperial Palace, where they confronted a real challenge.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Ɲονǥօ.сο

The elderly man who stood at the palace gate, like them, was dressed in plain clothes, less opulent even, but in that simple attire, he exuded an unmatched authority. His hair was fully white with age, his face lined with deep wrinkles, yet his gaze was as sharp as a sword, piercing straight towards them.

This person was none other than Shen Qingzhi, the grand General of the Southern Dynasty they had encountered during the nighttime curfew. Although nearing eighty years of age, he still held an official position at court, a towering and unyielding guardian deity of the Southern Dynasty.

Feeling a tremor in her heart, Chu Yu couldn’t help stopping under the intensity of that daunting stare, which seemed to want to pierce through her body. Although she felt some fear towards Shen Qingzhi, it was not distaste; in fact, she held some admiration towards the elderly man who had devoted his lifetime to military service.

Military might is the support of any regime, and had it not been for Shen Qingzhi upholding Liu Ziyue’s father’s succession and quelling the rebellion, where would Liu Ziyue’s throne be today?

Liu Ziyue, though willful and rash, also seemed uneasy under the old man’s gaze and halted alongside Chu Yu.

Maintaining his gaze on Liu Ziyue without further notice of Chu Yu, Shen Qingzhi bowed first and then asked in a deep voice, “Where does Your Majesty intend to go?”

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Liu Ziyue hesitated for a moment, then remembered that he was the Emperor, after all, and need not fear anything, so he puffed out his chest and declared loudly, “I want to leave the Imperial Palace for a stroll. Are you going to stop me?”

Shen Qingzhi replied indifferently, “Your servant would not dare, but Your Majesty is the sovereign of a nation and must take care of himself. How can you leave the palace without bringing guards?” Chu Yu glanced behind him, saw a troop of soldiers outside the door, and realized that during the time it took them to walk to the palace gate, someone had informed Shen Qingzhi, who had then hurried over to prevent the Emperor from leaving the palace in disguise.

As a major court official, Shen Qingzhi’s words carried weight. Even if Liu Ziyue was dissatisfied with him, considering his past contributions, he could not just order him to be killed. Nevertheless, having his fervor so rudely interrupted without being able to voice any objection, Liu Ziyue was so angry that his cheeks flushed, and his eyes swept away their earlier brightness, turning grim.

Liu Ziyue was displeased, but Chu Yu was anxious. Seeing the little emperor’s look becoming unsettling, she quickly tried to smooth things over, “Lord Shen is absolutely right. Your Majesty’s person is worth ten thousand gold. How could you show your face so carelessly?” Hearing this, Shen Qingzhi glanced at her again, this time with an inquiring depth in his gaze.

She quietly grabbed Liu Ziyue’s hand under her sleeve, signaling him to remain calm, then thanked Shen Qingzhi and turned back. After walking for a while, Liu Ziyue suddenly shook off her hand with force and called out irritably, “Sister, are you also siding with that old codger!”

Chu Yu looked back and saw that Shen Qingzhi was no longer in sight, then turned around to gently say, “After all, Lord Shen is an important minister of the state. You should give him some respect. Do you really want to clash with him at the palace gate? Wouldn’t that just give others something to laugh about?” If it really came to a conflict, she didn’t feel very confident about Liu Ziyue, despite him being the Emperor.

Seeing Liu Ziyue’s expression grow even more sullen, Chu Yu sighed and consoled, “Your Majesty, we shouldn’t bother arguing with an old stick-in-the-mud. Didn’t he say he won’t let you leave the palace in disguise? Then tomorrow, you should first move to my Princess Mansion. After we change our clothes, we can go out. I refuse to believe he can control even the entrance to my Princess Mansion.”

Upon hearing Chu Yu’s suggestion, Liu Ziyue finally seemed somewhat placated. After such a commotion, neither had the heart to tell stories or listen to them, so Chu Yu left early. When she returned to the palace gate, she unexpectedly saw that Shen Qingzhi had not left. The guards outside had been dismissed, but he remained, seemingly waiting for her.

Since she was already there, Chu Yu could not hide, although she felt a bit uneasy. Still, she approached him and put on a nonchalant smile, “Lord Shen, are you waiting for this Princess?” Enveloped in Shen Qingzhi’s stern gaze, Chu Yu felt quite uncomfortable, yet she could not show it. She glanced instinctively outside the palace gate where her carriage was parked. Yue Jiefei was leaning against the carriage, watching the scene, his hands on his sword and his body slightly tensed. Noticing Chu Yu looking his way, he nodded at her to reassure her.

Shen Qingzhi said slowly, “I’ve heard that the Princess is very good at telling stories and has been doing so for His Majesty lately. Forgive this old servant’s impudence, but such stories are better told less often by you. You are but a Princess.”

It took a second for Chu Yu to understand that Shen Qingzhi was warning her to keep to her place as a Princess and to content herself with frivolous activities, instead of attempting to influence Liu Ziyue.

Chu Yu scoffed and said, “What this Princess does is hardly Lord Shen’s concern.” She didn’t bother to reason with Shen Qingzhi. Someone as old as he was usually very stubborn and beyond persuasion. Since he was convinced that she was beguiling the Emperor, anything she said would be useless. Better to save her energy to continue deceiving Liu Ziyue the next day.

If those court officials had managed to counsel Liu Ziyue properly, why would she need to exert herself so much?

Their views were simply incompatible. She still held respect for Shen Qingzhi’s role as an important minister of the court and a great General of the Southern Dynasty, and she appreciated his loyalty and honesty. However, due to their positions and perspectives, she could not agree with his opinions.

Not only did she disagree, but she might also have to oppose him.

As soon as she had finished speaking, Chu Yu saw Shen Qingzhi’s expression change drastically. He made no move, but his entire being radiated menace, each wrinkle seeming to exude murderous intent. Had there been mosquitoes flying by, they surely would have met untimely deaths.

Even though she knew Shen Qingzhi wouldn’t harm her, Chu Yu involuntarily took a step back. She knew she had offended the old General this time, and offending Shen Qingzhi might be a serious matter. But compared to what she was planning to do, it was nothing. Thus, Chu Yu only worried briefly in her heart before letting go of her anxiety.

Regardless of how much Shen Qingzhi disliked her, he would have to respect her status as a Princess. In this Southern Dynasty, the only one who could rightfully see her dead was Liu Ziyue alone.