sbdcsierra Chapter 820 Acting School
Chapter 820 Acting School
Women were not allowed to easily enter the imperial court.
However, the Great Zhao Dynasty had experienced an era of extraordinary women with exceptional talents, such as the Lady of Huaguo and the late Empress. During the founding of the country, there was also a period when a princess held military power and acted as regent. There was even a proposal to open up a civil service examination for women. Although it was never realized, it was not a big deal that women were allowed to attend court sessions on one occasion.
Although Consort Yu didn't know why Lu Yangyang would make such a request, she was always clear about her gratitude and resentment and knew how to repay kindness. The matter of the Tenth Prince was largely thanks to Lu Yangyang, so as soon as Lu Yangyang spoke, she chimed in, "Your Majesty, I have no other requests, I only want to seek justice for the Tenth Prince. Your Majesty, please grant my request and allow me to attend the court hearing with the Princess when the case is closed!"
Taking advantage of the night, Xue Wanyue made a request: "Your Majesty, I also want to hear the results. Although I almost lost my life because of this, I feel even more sorry for the Tenth Prince being plotted against at such a young age. Your Majesty must uphold justice for the Tenth Prince!"
Surrounded by Consort Yu and Xue Wanyue on either side, the Emperor felt that this was not a big deal, so he agreed, "In that case, Yingqing, I will give you one more day to organize the evidence and files. The case will be concluded at the morning court the day after tomorrow. Do not delay the time for Xiao Shi's burial."
"Consort Yu, Consort Duan, and Princess Changyang are permitted to attend court as observers."
The group quickly agreed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After all this commotion, the Emperor was exhausted. He waved his hand, signaling them all to leave: "Alright, all of you may leave."
Then he looked at Lu Yangyang: "You stay here for a moment."
Lu Yangyang responded, "Yes."
Xue Wanyue glanced at Lu Yangyang with some concern, and then said, "Your Majesty, I almost lost my life when I returned from the temple. I haven't been feeling well these past two days. Princess, you are a skilled physician and a woman. I would like to invite you to my palace later to sit for a while and take my pulse."
The Emperor patted her hand and replied with a smile, "I'll have someone send her there later."
Xue Wanyue then left with peace of mind.
With the Emperor's promise, Ying Xun and Lu Wei, who had been very worried about Lu Yangyang, were relieved and respectfully withdrew.
Neither of them held high official positions, so they had little say in front of the Emperor. Fortunately, with Consort Duan's help, the Emperor should not make things difficult for Lu Yangyang.
After everyone had left, only the Emperor and a few palace servants remained. The sky was beginning to darken. The Emperor stared at Lu Yangyang for a moment, then gestured for the servants to step back. He sighed softly, “Girl, A-Que is the child I love most. Now his fate is unknown, and I am heartbroken day and night, unable to eat or sleep. Years ago, I heard that you once performed acupuncture on him. Tell me the truth, is A-Que's leg still curable?”
He spoke with a sense of melancholy and heartache, his eyes filled with expectation as he looked at Lu Yangyang. Lu Yangyang secretly bit her tongue to suppress the urge to curse, her mind frantically warning herself that this was the Emperor and she had to restrain herself.
Her eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she replied with a sob in her voice, "Your Majesty, that year when the exile ship reached Jiangnan, it encountered assassins. His Highness was hit by more than a dozen arrows while protecting me, and I was also hit by an arrow. He pushed me into the river in time, and I barely survived. Eunuch Cao had taken care of His Highness since childhood, and he also died on the ship while protecting His Highness."
“I am not a heartless person. These past two years, when I heard the news of His Highness's death, I couldn't believe it. I searched for him all over the world. Later, I heard that he might still be alive, and I was overjoyed. His Highness is a good person. I know that he didn't really want to marry me and didn't want to be a burden to me. That's why I entered the Eastern Palace and received his divorce papers. He said that I was in the prime of my life and shouldn't be delayed by a cripple like him. I was really sad. I have studied medicine all these years and I believe that my medical skills are decent and that I have some talent. But if there is even the slightest possibility, I hope that I can help His Highness's leg get better. But I am ultimately too inexperienced to help him.”
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. The reason I returned to the capital after going through so many twists and turns is because I promised Your Highness that no matter if he lives or dies, I should live well. He is truly the best person I could be."
Lu Yangyang spoke while tears streamed down her face, looking increasingly distressed.
This did indeed make the Emperor feel a little sorry for her.
The Emperor also raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye. "I did not know that A-Que had suffered such danger. If I had known earlier, I would have kept him in the capital even at the risk of the world's condemnation. But I am not only a father, but also the ruler of a country, and there are too many things I cannot control."
"You have rendered a great service in Xiao Shi's case. You are kind-hearted and extremely talented in medicine. If I have mistreated you, Aque will surely be angry with me. I know my son well. Whether he wants to marry you or not, once the marriage is done, he will take full responsibility. How can I let you suffer? Alright, alright, now that you are back, although you cannot go to the Eastern Palace, the Princess's Mansion that I bestowed upon you will still be reserved for you. Go back and live there. Once Xiao Shi's case is closed, I will issue an edict to pardon you. From now on, you should devote yourself to studying medicine. I still hope that you will make great contributions again! At that time, I will definitely reward you."
Lu Yangyang quickly bowed in gratitude, saying, "Yangyang thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
The Emperor waved his hand, "Consort Duan is waiting for you. You may go now. My heart aches unbearably whenever I think of A-Que. I want to be alone for a while."
"Yes, Yangyang will take her leave." Lu Yangyang replied.
The Emperor pointed to a palace maid and led Lu Yangyang to Consort Duan's palace.
Lu Yangyang's eyes were red from crying, and she followed the palace servants out with her head down.
As soon as she left Lingxiu Palace, Lu Yangyang's expression changed, and a sarcastic smile appeared on her lips.
Indeed, the best actor in the world is the one sitting on the dragon throne.
What kind of loving father he was! He was the one who ordered the interception and killing of Zong Que, yet he pretended to be heartbroken. He was the one who coldly watched the princes' disputes, deliberately promoted Xue Wanyue, and took the newborn prince to Xue Wanyue's palace to raise, which aroused the suspicion of various factions in the court, thus bringing disaster upon the Tenth Prince and causing his untimely death.
Throughout history, emperors have often been ruthless, and this emperor has taken the art of imperial manipulation to its extreme.
Facing these realities, Lu Yangyang truly understood the unpredictability of human nature. Compared to this supreme power, kinship and innocence were nothing more than tools of those in power.
Lu Yangyang followed the palace servants into Xue Wanyue's Guanju Palace with her eyes down. Guanju Palace was several times larger than Lingxiu Palace where Consort Xu lived. After entering, Lu Yangyang walked through the garden and corridors for about a quarter of an hour before arriving at the main hall of Guanju Palace.
When Xue Wanyue saw her, she waved for the palace servants to leave and pulled Lu Yangyang into the inner room.
With no one else around, Xue Wanyue nervously asked her, "Did His Majesty make things difficult for you?"
Lu Yangyang shook her head.
Xue Wanyue breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her voice to say to her, "Eunuch Feng arrived just in time. When he got to Consort Xiao's palace, the Third Prince had already entered the palace gate. If he had been any later, things might have changed."