His Majesty And I ✔️

Two Moons

Chapter 57

Imperial Concubine Wei
Wei Li Lian
Hougong

“My Lady, this servant is worried. If Dao did not get any permission from the Senior Court Lady, then what does it mean? A palace maid cannot pass the gate without a tag that represents the permission to leave. And it seems like the last person that saw Dao is the Senior Court Lady. She saw Dao walking with Grand Palace Guard Wu." Ai stopped as if thinking of something else. "It does not make sense why they would be together… unless… unless… It can not be…”

“Calm down. No use in making assumptions.”

“My Lady! What if the emperor sent Luo Meng to take care of Dao?”

Li Lian took the garments out of the metal silver dish and rinsed it with clean water to see if the dye she applied worked. The river whirled as the waters cascaded downhill. Waves upon waves of water burbled and rippled against the rocks in their path.

Li Lian loved to escape to the back of the palace, where the river passed by, and use the water for her garments as she dyed. She loved the quietness of the place, the fresh breeze under the sunlight, and the chirping of the birds while surrounded by the green of the forest beyond the river.

Ai nervously paced around from behind her. She was shaky after coming back from enquiring the Senior Court Lady about Dao. It was on the fourth day and Dao was still unseen.

“Be calm, Ai. Why would Yuwen Hong kill her silently? He seems to be still agitated with me for not telling him the name of the maid I beat.”

“But he could have killed her. What if… what if she is dead?”

“That is unlike Yuwen Hong’s personality to do such things quietly. He would love to make a show of it to prove to me who is still in charge.” Yu’er carried his emotions on his sleeves. When he was angry, he was angry, and when he was happy, he was happy.

Anything that happened to Dao couldn't be related to him. And when Dao disappeared, it was on his birthday, the same day he was particular to not kill anyone and make the day inauspicious.

Li Lian squeezed the dress of Cai Wenjin, and threw away the yellowy water she used for rinsing away the  remnants of the dye.

“But His Majesty would kill―”

“His Majesty would kill who?” Someone interrupted Ai that had her maid drop to the ground.

She squealed and kowtowed on the ground vigorously. “This servant deserves to die, she deserves to die!”

Li Lian stifled a laugh as she bent to collect fresh water from the flowing river. Ai had never sounded so scared in her life until this moment.

“Looks like you and your mistress like talking about me. Should I be pleased that I don’t stray from her mind or agitated that you dare talk about the royal liege.” Yuwen Hong asked Ai from behind her.

Li Lian did not want to greet him, the stub of her frustrations and anger rising.

“This servant had no right and shouldn’t have dared.”

“Rise.” Yuwen Hong excused Ai. “What is your name?”

Some shuffling as Ai rose. “Your servant is named Ai.”

“Your mistress must love you a lot to give you a name that connotes affection.”

“If His Majesty says so, so shall it be.”

Poor Ai, she was still distraught. It was so cute to listen to them and all the more adorable how he teased her.

“Your mistress forgot her manners. She doesn't know her duty of addressing the emperor whenever he is around.” Yuwen Hong ridiculed Li Lian for ignoring him. She could feel his daggers on her back.