To her surprise, the Zǐtái Palace soon bestowed its favor, directly replacing the signboard of Dìngwáng House.
Dìng Wang, being the younger brother of the former emperor, was a formidable warrior with exceptional battle skills, having established remarkable military achievements that laid the foundation for the tripartite dominance of the three great dynasties: Great Zhou, Great Liáng, and Great Wàng. Unfortunately, Dìng Wang suffered from numerous war wounds and had a frail body. He did not survive past thirty years old. The former emperor was deeply grieved, secluding himself for seventy-nine days in mourning for Dìng Wang.
Legend has it that before his death, Dìng Wang ate a bowl of green bean soup cooked by the Imperial Kitchen under the order of the former emperor. After that, he passed away without any cure.
The rumor goes that Dìng Wang's mother, the wise Empress, entered the Mingdài Palace, cursed the former emperor, and then drew her sword to commit suicide.
However, annals of the people are just that, merely speculation with no evidence.
Mùyáng Yuèluò believes that the Dìng Wáng Palace is a good omen.
What if one day, she could be even more prominent than the ruler himself?
"Your Highness, Lord Dongfang wishes to see you. Ms. Lüyún was going to say that you are resting and ask Lord Dongfang to leave. But I thought, perhaps you would like to meet him." The temperament of the painted screen was similar to that of Mùyáng Yuèluò's; on the surface, they both appeared gentle and even their smiles were tender.
"Paint Screen, prepare some tea." Mùyáng Yuèluò smiled gently.
Paint Screen is the most skilled in boiling tea and has a more casual approach when making tea.
Paint Screen understood and, after Lord Dongfang Shi Xian entered, presented a bowl of Dongting Bi Luochun tea. The teacup was brand new, a jade ivory carved cup with a continuous melon pattern in colorful painting, which looked valuable but was not to Mùyáng Yuèluò's taste.
"Ruozhā, thank you for tolerating Qìnér." Dong Fāng Shìxiàn was very polite, sipping some hot tea.
"Lord Dongfang, if you truly wish to express gratitude to this palace, it would be better to find someone capable of managing the financial affairs of the Zǐtái Palace for me. I believe that the Wen Xìnhóufù has such a person, as it is said to be home to dragons and tigers." Mùyáng Yuèluò smiled faintly, exuding a sense of detachment.
Currently, the marriage she maintains with Dong Fāng Shìxiǎn is a marriage of mutual respect and politeness.
Of course, she will eventually divorce him.
"Ruozhā, how shall we coexist in the future?" Dong Fang Shi Xian asked softly.
"Lord Dongfang, how do you hope to interact with me?" The smile on Mùyáng Yuèluò's face grew fainter, yet it remained gentle and harmless.
"Ruozhā, I have something in my heart that you may not be pleased to hear. However, if I do not speak of it, it would be unfair to you." Dong Fāng Shìxiǎn lowered his voice, expressing a hint of melancholy.
In her previous life, she was attracted to Dong Fāng Shìxiǎn's melancholic and sentimental demeanor, thinking that she could smooth out his furrowed brows. Little did she know that he was simply forcing his concerns and showing his grief for the sake of writing a new poem.
"Then let's leave that aside. Lord Dongfang, why not gather all the servants of the Wen Xìnhóufù in the Zǐtái Palace, and I would like to choose them personally." Mùyáng Yuèluò waved her hand and gave an eviction order.
"Ruozhā, do you not wish to marry me?" Dong Fang Shi Xian suddenly raised his voice.
After that, Dong Fāng Shìxiǎn became melancholic, like a narcissus flower that cannot withstand the wind and rain.
"Lord Dongfang, don't overthink it. This palace is willing." Mùyáng Yuèluò rubbed her forehead.
In her previous life, Dong Fang Shi Xian was quite proud and self-conceited. Her flirting with Mùyáng Yuèluò made him indifferent, which worried Mùyáng Yuèluò for a period of time.
How is it that in this life, there seems to be a bit of an insistent, persistent feeling.
Could it be that Dong Fang Shi Xian is being cheap and behaving in a regressive manner?
"Ruozhā, there is a hot spring called Yu Nü Quan at the Xilin Temple in the suburbs, which can cleanse away any turbid essence from one's body. Why don't we go together, just the two of us." Dong Fāng Shìxiǎn immediately took his leave.
Yu Nü Quan? Turbid essence? Dong Fang Shi Xian actually thinks she, Mùyáng Yuèluò, is dirty?
Oh, this jade ivory carved cup with a continuous melon pattern in colorful painting is indeed dirty. Let's sell it and exchange it for silver.
