Chapter 56

In truth, the greatest reason she agreed to the meeting was precisely because of that remark from Wei Lenghou.

Now that Lord Wei had arranged everything so thoroughly, it all seemed to fall neatly into place.

But if there was even a sliver of possibility, Nie Qinglin was willing to take the risk.

After all, she didn’t have much left to lose.

Nishang Pavilion, the epitome of brilliance and splendor in the capital, where neon silk robes dazzled like clouds.

Nie Qinglin used a simple excuse to go there: accompanying Ge Yun’er to pick out the clothes she’d wear for her coming-of-age ceremony.

Normally, the Grand Tutor didn’t interfere much with these young ladies’ social outings, but Nanny Shan was sure to follow behind regardless.

Nishang Pavilion didn’t entertain male guests, which was precisely why the noblewomen of the capital loved coming here to order their clothes.

As Nie Qinglin stepped through the vermilion wood doors, she realized this place resembled more of a tea restaurant.

Each ornately carved private room was refined and elegant.

Once seated inside, handmaidens would bring out samples of garments and fabric swatches for their esteemed clients to choose from.

Nie Qinglin was led into one of these elegant rooms by a young maid.

Meanwhile, Nanny Shan and two palace maids stood guard just outside.

Ge Yun’er was trying on dresses in the next room.

Nie Qinglin glanced around, wondering…where exactly was that Lord Ge planning to secretly meet her?

Just as she was scanning the surroundings, the bronze mirror in front of her slowly opened.

From within stepped a girl of similar height and build, and behind her, Lord Ge quietly followed, bowing deeply with respect.

So there was a hidden chamber here? Nie Qinglin was inwardly startled.

Without delay, she switched places with the girl and entered the secret room.

The stand-in began leisurely trying on clothes before the mirror.

Nanny shan wasn’t the talkative type, and standing guard outside, she didn’t grow suspicious.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty,” Ge Qingyuan said respectfully the moment the thick door closed.

Nie Qinglin wasn’t surprised that this minister had seen through her identity.

From the beginning, when all the other officials were utterly convinced by the façade, this Ge Qingyuan had already begun to harbor doubts and had been scrutinizing her closely.

That was why she had gone with the tide and dropped him a subtle hint.

After all, revealing a weakness was often the swiftest and most effective way to gain someone’s trust.

As for what this Lord Ge was planning in his heart, she still had no clue.

This meeting alone and unguarded was partly meant to test the waters.

“Lord Ge, you’re too courteous. May I ask what noble purpose brought Your Lordship to summon me here?”

She didn’t admit to being the emperor, and just lazily shifted the topic and asked directly.

Ge Qingyuan slowly lifted his head and looked at the delicately carved princess before him.

“Since the Princess has come, I trust there must be something Your Highness needs assistance with. Time is short and please speak first.”

With a blink of her large eyes, she smiled and asked, “Though perhaps it’s the other way around? I wonder…has my lord learned anything regarding the stolen iron ingots?”

Ge Qingyuan was slightly surprised.

“That matter…no one knows which band of thieves did it. Had the incident not blown up and forced the local officials to report it, many colleagues wouldn’t even have known there was a secret state-owned ironworks there. I fear solving it anytime soon will be difficult… May I ask why the Princess is inquiring about this?”

At this, Nie Qinglin gently shook her head and gave a bitter smile.

When she first heard of it, aside from the shock, she had actually been curious about what route these thieves planned to take to smuggle out the iron.

After all, transporting such a massive amount of iron ingots wasn’t something that could be done with a snap of the fingers.

If she could uncover their method, perhaps she could find inspiration and maybe even figure out a way to flee the capital for good, away from the Grand Tutor’s clutches.

Unfortunately, the Grand Tutor had sealed off all information with not a drop leaking out, and Lord Ge’s end was also a dead end.

Nie Qinglin said no more and was about to turn to leave the secret room, when Ge Qingyuan, without changing his expression, reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Your Highness’s thoughts…I understand. I am willing to lend a hand.”

Nie Qinglin was taken aback, and not just by the boldness of his action, but more so by how firm the grip on her arm was.

This was no frail scholar’s strength.

“Lord Ge… please unhand me…”

But Ge Qingyuan suddenly pulled her into his arms, eyes blazing.

“Your Highness is trapped under Wei the Traitor’s heel. If you wish to escape the tiger’s den, I am willing to help you break free. But… why is it Your Highness does not trust me? Is it because I am not capable enough?”

With just a lift of her eyes, she could see the faint light flickering in the young man’s gaze, a light that admitted no doubt, a sincerity that could not be faked, and… admiration.

Nie Qinglin felt a sudden jolt in her heart and murmured softly, “For Lord Ge to be able to meet me under such layers of surveillance, you must’ve been laying the groundwork for some time. Even the Grand Tutor has praised your powers of inference. How could I possibly look down on you? I only ask… that you let go.”

Only then did Ge Qingyuan seem to realize he had overstepped.

He quickly released her and dropped to one knee, voice low and penitent.

“Ever since I discovered Your Highness’s carefully hidden secret, I have felt as if charcoal were burning in my chest. That Wei Lenghou disregards ancestral law and would commit any crime under heaven. If Your Highness stays in his clutches long, I fear you’ll suffer disgrace. That’s why I was impatient, please forgive me.”

“I still have a few colleagues in court who have long been working to overthrow the traitor’s schemes and restore clarity to the Great Wei imperial household. But if Your Highness remains under his control, I too become like a rat afraid to bite the vase, and unable to act freely!”

Nie Qinglin had already vaguely guessed what Ge Qingyuan intended.

But hearing it straight from his lips, her heart couldn’t help but sigh quietly.

The prestige of the imperial surname Nie still lingered.

But who knew what fate awaited these loyal but powerless officials filled with righteous fire?

As for that Wei Lenghou… he was no easy bone to gnaw.

However, Ge Qingyuan’s feelings of affection also left her quite at a loss.

Her friendship with this childhood companion was already rather faint, how much more so when it came to romance between man and woman?

After all, she was a sixteen-year-old maiden; suddenly having a young man directly confess his love left her somewhat flustered.

It was Ge Qingyuan, instead, who noticed the princess’s discomfort.

A trace of gloom flickered in his eyes, and he softly said, “Your Highness need not feel troubled by my words. With Your Highness’s noble status, it is only natural that someone like me is not worthy to aspire. But for Your Highness, I would walk through fire and water without hesitation. Within half a month, I will surely rescue Your Highness from this predicament. I only ask that Your Highness be patient. If someone comes to Your Highness with this jade pendant, please, trust him…”

After showing her the jade pendant in his hand, Ge Qingyuan respectfully asked the princess to leave the secret room, and returned to switch places with the decoy.

When she emerged from the Nishang Pavilion, Nie Qinglin got onto the carriage, turned back, and looked once more at the famed and luxurious establishment in the capital.

The spot on her wrist that Ge Qingyuan had seized still ached faintly.

She frowned slightly, but what occupied her mind was: This kind of organization…does it really look like it’s only recently established?

Could it be that these officials had planned ahead, shown foresight, and long ago anticipated that Wei Lenghou would rebel one day?

Ge Qingyuan stood motionless on the upper floor of the Nishang Pavilion, staring through the window slits as the princess’s carriage slowly drove away.

Until a pair of delicate jade hands gently rested on his shoulders: “She’s long gone, Ge-lang, and yet you’re still staring? Don’t tell me you’ve really taken a liking to that little brat who still reeks of milk?”

Hearing this, Ge Qingyuan slowly turned around.

Behind him stood a bewitchingly beautiful woman, dressed in fine brocade, her slightly parted collar revealing a swath of soft, fair, and full cleavage.

At this moment, her charming eyes were half-lidded as she gazed in infatuation at this handsome young man.

In Ge Qingyuan’s eyes, usually calm as still water…there now appeared a hint of wickedness.

He reached out and lightly pinched the woman’s chin, kneading it as he said with a teasing smile, “Having seen the allure of Princess Leyao, even your own younger sister wouldn’t compare to one ten-thousandth of her grace.”

Standing before him was none other than the former mistress of Fengchu Palace, Princess Leyao, who had disappeared for quite some time after the palace coup.

Her time outside the palace had not diminished her in the slightest.

In fact, her charm had only grown more potent.

Hearing Ge Qingyuan’s compliment, Leyao let out a coquettish giggle, rubbing her ample body against Ge Qingyuan’s broad chest.

“Ge-lang, you’re such a sweet talker. That ignorant little yellow-haired girl was twisted around your finger in circles. But this princess…I…am not so easily deceived. You’ll still have to offer me something truly worthwhile.”

As she spoke, those snake-like hands of hers slid downward, caressing with utmost seductiveness…

Ge Qingyuan chuckled faintly and shoved Princess Leyao down onto the nearby table.

His clothes remained undisturbed, only his inner garments removed.

His dark eyes were half-lidded as he asked slowly, “What’s the situation with Prince Yonghe?”

Leyao’s breathing became erratic, and she replied eagerly, “That old bastard’s been coveting me for ages. If it weren’t for that Wei Lenghou’s rebellion, how could this princess have ended up in the hands of that old lecher? After I accompanied him to the southern villa, I gave him the Fushou Paste that Ge-lang prepared. Now he can’t even part with his opium pipe for a moment, and below, it’s all soft spear and no use at all. Ge-lang, I’m a parched field long unwatered. Don’t go easy on me. Just treat me like your cheap handmaid…harder…”

Ge Qingyuan kept a smile on his lips, carefully hiding the disdain that flashed in his eyes.

He reached out his large hand and forcefully pinned down this so-called princess of Great Wei, no better than a common courtesan from the brothels…

The youngest of Great Wei’s talented men, always upright and proper, Ge Qingyuan, though unmarried and without concubines, now moved as though this act had been practiced a hundred times over.

Though his ears were filled with Princess Leyao’s indecent moans, what surfaced in his mind was that serene and elegant little face…

As that image arose, his breathing, which had been steady, finally grew uneven, and his eyes revealed a fierce glint,like a wolf baring its fangs, bound to take what he wanted…

After much preparation, that clever and charming little princess was finally within the same secret chamber as himself.

Just moments ago, intoxicated by her sweet fragrance, he had nearly lost control of the beast lurking in his heart, impulsively reaching out to seize her.

Though he managed to rein in the roaring dark desires in time and feigned affection to win her trust, Ge Qingyuan could still detect a flicker of doubt in Princess Yong’an’s eyes.

She was certainly no fool like the one beneath him now.

It was likely that Princess Yong’an would not follow his plan so obediently in the future.

But that was no matter—if the mountain will not come to the man, the man shall go to the mountain.

Princess Yong’an… my Emperor, sooner or later, you will fall completely and utterly into my hands—me, Ge Qingyuan!