Chapter 16: The Scriptures

Chapter 16: The Scriptures

What Li Desheng held in his hands were several volumes of ancient scriptures. The simple, rustic pages emitted the faint scent of temple incense, elegant and calming to the mind.

Tang Zhuozhuo took one from Li Desheng’s hands and flipped through a few pages, her small face falling. “Your Highness, this… this is all in Sanskrit. I cannot understand it.”

It was only natural for her to lack interest in such obscure and difficult texts.

Huo Qiu’s footsteps paused slightly. His black boots, embroidered with gold thread, met the floor with a subtle, soft sound that disturbed the silence of the room.

“When the time comes, you will present the gift alongside the other Princes’ wives. Just say a few auspicious words.”

Fearing she remained uneasy, Huo Qiu added specifically: “Imperial Grandmother will like them.”

As these were the words of the future Emperor Chongjian, Tang Zhuozhuo naturally believed him. She lowered her gaze, gently placed the scripture back on the desk, and said softly: “But Imperial Grandmother does not like me…”

It wasn’t just that she didn’t like her; in Tang Zhuozhuo’s memory, even Huo Qiu rarely received a warm reception from the old woman. In her past life, Tang Zhuozhuo had known very little about the Empress Dowager and had never grasped her thoughts, knowing only that she was a formidable character.

Of course, back then, she hadn’t bothered to expend the effort to understand her either. But since the Empress Dowager seemed to treat everyone with the same cold attitude, there wasn’t much more to be said.

Huo Qiu hummed a low note of agreement. His eyes were deep, but turning to see Tang Zhuozhuo’s slightly bewildered expression, he pursed his lips into a faint smile, the hardness of his features softening.

“Imperial Grandmother has seen too many people and events. At her age, she is devoted only to Buddhism and no longer wishes to involve herself in affairs.”

But in the palace, being in a position of such high power meant there was a crowd of people looking to curry favor. If she were any more approachable, some people would surely “climb the pole like a snake.”

Tang Zhuozhuo nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at the ancient scriptures again, rubbing the tip of her nose. “Where did Your Highness find these? The script doesn’t look common.”

Knowing Huo Qiu’s intent, Li Desheng moved half a step forward and said, “To answer Your Ladyship: these scriptures were personally transcribed by Master Puzang and were offered at Zhenguo Temple for over a decade. They went missing after being stolen during the previous dynasty; finding them cost His Highness a great deal of effort.”

Tang Zhuozhuo listened with interest at first, but then her body stiffened slightly. She asked in an ordinary voice, “Are these the volumes of the Diamond Sutra?”

“Your Ladyship has a keen eye; it is indeed those volumes.”

A spark of brilliance flashed in Tang Zhuozhuo’s peach-blossom eyes. Her soft, jade-white fingertips lightly stroked the covers of the scriptures. “Your Highness has truly gone to much trouble.”

Huo Qiu sat in his expensive pearwood chair, his tall frame still as a weather-worn stone statue. Hearing her words, he noncommittally raised a sharp brow but did not speak.

Tang Zhuozhuo’s brow furrowed slightly as if she had suddenly remembered something. She pursed her lips and paced over to Huo Qiu. “Your Highness, were these scriptures found through Liu Hanjiang?”

Huo Qiu’s expression darkened instantly. His gaze swept over her white-jade face several times. Tang Zhuozhuo tried her best to keep her expression normal, but a layer of thin sweat had already broken out in her palms.

His scrutiny was too sharp. Fortunately, after a moment, he stood up, turning the jade ring on his thumb. “How do you know of Liu Hanjiang?”

Tang Zhuozhuo breathed a secret sigh of relief and forced herself to act casual. “It’s those brothers of mine. In the past, they would often discuss such things after returning from the academy. Having heard it so often, I managed to remember a few names.”

Half of Huo Qiu’s body was hidden in the deep shadows. A thin, cool smile touched his lips. “And what did they say?”

“Just some groundless talk, but this Liu Hanjiang is someone I truly remembered.”

The man was too overbearing and silent. Tang Zhuozhuo spoke cautiously; by the end, even her forehead was damp with sweat. Fabricating stories in front of Huo Qiu was a true test of one’s composure.

“My third brother holds him in particularly high esteem. One day after martial arts practice, he said Liu Hanjiang was talented in both letters and arms, a peerless strategist with a handsome appearance. It’s a pity he has no fixed residence and leaves no trace; meeting him even once would be the great fortune of a lifetime.”

Tang Zhuozhuo’s fingers grew white as she gripped the lid of her teacup. She said with difficulty, “That’s why I took note of him. Later, I heard people say these scriptures had fallen into his hands, though I didn’t know if it was true. It seems Your Highness has found them now.”

A long silence fell over the hall, making Tang Zhuozhuo feel restless. But if she missed this chance today, it would be difficult to find another opening to mention this man later.

Huo Qiu let out a clear laugh with an inexplicable meaning. He turned and said, “I have some acquaintance with Liu Hanjiang.”

So, this is a tacit admission that Liu Hanjiang is already in his camp?

But how could she warn Huo Qiu that this Liu Hanjiang would eventually defect and betray him on the battlefield? Even if she said it, would Huo Qiu believe her?

Tang Zhuozhuo felt a headache coming on. Fortunately, the topic had been broached; mentioning him from time to time in the future would surely make Huo Qiu more vigilant.

As she drifted off in thought, Huo Qiu glanced at the crown of her dark hair and spoke: “Would you like some snacks?”

Tang Zhuozhuo answered subconsciously, “Yes, I want Hibiscus Jade Dew cakes and Green Date cakes.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she realized something was wrong. She looked up and, as expected, collided with the man’s smiling dark eyes. She instantly became both ashamed and annoyed. “Why is Your Highness always mocking me?”

The smile in Huo Qiu’s eyes deepened, and even his voice sounded clearer and more pleasant due to his amusement. “My Crown Princess is quite the glutton; I never noticed before.”

A flush of crimson appeared on Tang Zhuozhuo’s charming face. She arched an eyebrow, her small temper flaring up smoothly. “Li Desheng, tell the kitchen not to bring them. I won’t eat them.”

Being named, Li Desheng trembled and shot a tentative look at Huo Qiu, only to see their usually cold and serious master with a faint smile at the corners of his eyes and brows. Huo Qiu had no time to spare for him.

So, should the snacks be served or not?

The girl’s palm-sized face was fair and clean, yet her eyes held a trace of willful charm, making her look incredibly vivid.

“When did I say I wouldn’t let you eat? Hmm?” Huo Qiu was both amused and exasperated. He stepped forward and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing an earlobe like a jade bead.

The light in his eyes brightened suddenly, but his voice remained steady. “You only know how to throw tantrums. Let’s see who will indulge you in the future.”

Tang Zhuozhuo felt a bit awkward but still blinked and replied, “Naturally, I must be pampered by Your Highness. Unless Your Highness finds a new favorite in the future and stops indulging me?”

She said this long string of words fluently. Li Desheng, waiting to the side, rubbed his eyes, feeling that the Crown Princess had become a different person over the past few days. Look at that, with just a few words, she had made the master perfectly happy. When the rest of them worked themselves to death, they never received even a softened word from the master.

Truly, there was no comparison.

Huo Qiu stared intently at the exceptionally thick-skinned little creature. He pinched her soft cheek and said, “Naturally, I will indulge you.”

Where else in this world was there a second Tang Zhuozhuo who could haunt his dreams and make him use every means possible just to keep her by his side?

Li Desheng sighed inwardly and went to order the kitchen to bring the cakes.

That night, Huo Qiu stood by the window, watching the dark shadows moving behind a few lanterns outside. His gaze held the chill of a whistling blizzard.

Li Desheng stood behind him, looking puzzled. “Your Highness, why didn’t you keep Her Ladyship here…”

He knew exactly how much Huo Qiu cared for Tang Zhuozhuo. In the past, when the Crown Princess was cold and constantly thinking of General Wang, the master would often be so angry he couldn’t sleep all night, yet still had to attend the morning court. It was worrying to watch. No one could withstand such emotional turmoil!

Now that the Crown Princess had finally stopped making a fuss and seemed to have seen reason, the Prince only summoned her for meals and small talk. As for the matter of “favor,” he hadn’t even mentioned it.

Huo Qiu’s long fingers tapped lightly on the window frame. His gaze followed the dark silhouette like a desert hawk, but the words he spoke were cold.

“Noisy!”

“…”

Only when the lanterns turned a corner and disappeared into the night did Huo Qiu finally withdraw his gaze. Her attitude had only just begun to change; he did not want to force her.

An excellent hunter would never let prey that had been delivered to his mouth escape. But Tang Zhuozhuo was different to him. He couldn’t be impatient. The taste of being treated with her cold indifference was too bone-eroding; he didn’t want to experience it a second time.

Whether she played dumb or threw tantrums, he would slowly wear her down. He would eventually win back her heart!

Recalling how his hand had accidentally brushed hers earlier—finding it ice-cold and trembling slightly—and the thin sweat on her forehead, Huo Qiu suddenly closed his eyes.

“Where is Liu Hanjiang now?”

Li Desheng retracted his smile and replied, “Your Highness, Mr. Liu has just returned to the residence you arranged for him in the suburbs. Perhaps to see his wife and daughter.”

The stories of Liu Hanjiang doting on his wife and daughter were widespread, and indeed, it was the truth.

Huo Qiu rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Send more men to protect them. There must be no negligence.”

If something happened to Liu Hanjiang’s family, given the man’s temperament, it was unlikely he would continue to serve him.

Meanwhile, Yiqiu Palace was also somewhat lively.

An Xia was undoing Tang Zhuozhuo’s hairstyle. Her raven hair fell like a waterfall, emitting a faint fragrance that could melt one’s bones. Tang Zhuozhuo rested her chin on her hand, looking at the bright-eyed, red-lipped woman in the mirror, laughing happily. “So beautiful.”

Zi Huan and An Xia exchanged a look and shook their heads helplessly. Over the past few days, the Crown Princess had been like this, often obsessed with her own beauty. At first, they had joined in the praise, but later they could only laugh along.

Before this woman entered the Eastern Palace, she was a renowned beauty in the capital. Her looks were beyond question.

“My Lady, why didn’t you stay at the Main Hall earlier?”

Tang Zhuozhuo pursed her lips, removed her jade bracelet, and let out a lazy yawn. “Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager’s birthday; I have to wake up early. I’m tired, you may all withdraw.”

An Xia wanted to say more, but Zi Huan tugged at her sleeve, and they withdrew.

Outside, the night was cool as water. Tang Zhuozhuo let out a low, soft laugh from her throat, her expression both charming and seductive.

Huo Qiu understood her heart.