Da Li Temple - Chapter 4.2

Chapter 4.2
Undercurrent

The Empress Dowager loved books. In the early years before getting married, she also had a little girl temperament and loved all kinds of leisure books. Later, after gaining favor in the palace, she had to be dignified and courteous. Becoming a mother to the world, she couldn’t read such a book and left her hobbies behind. Of course, the insightful Lord Su could see it.
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Su Moyi tidied up everything, covering the leisure books with history books, then rushed into the palace before the banquet began.
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The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was a big event. But the Empress Dowager has always been thrifty, and this time, it was not a decennial birthday, so there was no large-scale celebration, only holding a banquet in the imperial garden in the palace. The royal relatives and court officials above the third grade could bring their families to participate in the party.
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Su Moyi arrived quite early. After addressing his colleagues and relatives, his eyes turned to the position of Order Song – empty.

Although it was reasonable, a burst of unexpected irritability flooded Su Moyi’s heart —
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“Jingche.”
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Su Moyi’s footsteps slightly paused, turned back, and bumped into the person at his side. When he was about to salute and apologize, someone held him intimately. Stunned, he said, “King Liang.”
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King Liang saw his formal etiquette and smiled sincerely, loosening his hand holding Su Moyi, “Based on the seniority, I am your granduncle. Your habit of calling the title, is it because of work?”
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Su Moyi nodded but did not answer.
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In terms of seniority, King Liang was indeed his mother’s uncle. But given his relationship with the Crown Prince’s mother’s family by marriage, he was known as the ‘Crown Prince’s Party’ in the court. Su Moyi only worked for the Emperor and did not want to be entangled with any of the forces in the court, so on such occasions, he adhered to a business-like manner.
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“You know about that matter?”
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Su Moyi looked up and saw King Liang was looking at Order Song’s empty seat.
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“Well, I didn’t know about it until I went to the Capital Government Office today.”
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“I heard that they arrested the murderer on the spot?” King Liang flicked his sleeve and casually asked.
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The two of them walked along the path in the imperial garden, heading up to the seats of the royal relatives.
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The atmosphere was romantic, but Su Moyi frowned slightly at the words and replied carelessly. “The Ministry of Criminal Affairs hasn’t examined the arrested person yet. I’m afraid he can’t be deemed as a murderer yet.”
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A few sounds of cheerful laughter came, and the person in front stopped his steps to look back at him, teasingly saying: “Today, I think I learned Lord Su’s style of abiding by the rules.”
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Seeing Su Moyi still expressionless, King Liang turned his words and said, “That Wang Hu of the Golden Guards, I have heard of him.”
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“Oh?” Su Moyi was surprised.
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“He was quite notorious amongst the Golden Guards. According to his colleagues, Wang Hu was a man addicted to alcohol and sex. He was also a frequent visitor to the Qin Lou Chu Pavilion. I never thought that he would indulge himself to this extent ……” King Liang sighed. His tone was a bit regretful, saying, “Now that he is arrested and punished to death, it can regarded as what he deserved.”
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Su Moyi did not answer and followed King Liang silently.

When the moon hits the palace’s wall, the night breeze brushes the building’s roof. The melon-shaped palace lamp cast a dim halo on him, making him appear intimate yet cold.
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Suffused by laws and regulations, even though Su Moyi was still twenty years old and facing a much older Prince, he still carried natural sovereignty and coldness. Even if he didn’t speak, he still could give off an invisible pressure.
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King Liang silently followed suit and was about to say something else when the sound of a palace gate officer shouting at the top of his lungs came from the distance. All the people clattered and knelt at the sound of his voice.
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The banquet began. After the officials paid homage, songs and dances started.
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Su Moyi’s seat was arranged in a crowd of princes, only one step lower than the crown prince. He sat down and raised his eyes to see the Empress Dowager. The old woman today wore a joyful gold and red dress, talking to Mama on her side, but her eyes were staring at the crowd in the lower seat, seeming to be looking for someone.
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Who else could she be looking for?
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Su Moyi lowered his head and laughed lightly. His fingertips rubbed the set of books.
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“Imperial Grandmother,” He slowly walked over, “It’s your birthday today. Of course, I will be here.”
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The Empress Dowager focused her eyes, looking at his face instinctively. But halfway through, her face became sullen, suppressing her laughter and anger.
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The Empress Dowager pulled Su Moyi to the front.
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“You still remember your Imperial Grandmother’s birthday?” This tone, he didn’t need to look to know what the Empress Dowager’s expression was now.
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Su Moyi immediately presented the books in his hand and smiled, “This is a gift specially prepared for Imperial Grandmother.”
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The Empress Dowager saw a set of history books in his hand, and her anger intensified. She was about to lash out when Su Moyi moved to her side. While blocking the line of sight of the palace maids and mamas, he lifted a corner of the book and said softly, “Leisure books.”
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The fire suddenly dissipated, and the Empress Dowager smiled happily. She ordered the maids to store the books and then turned to Su Moyi, “Is a pity you’re using this heart for an old woman like me. How good would it be if you used it to coax a little girl?”
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Su Moyi’s back twitched with a sense of foreboding. It was not a day or two for the Empress Dowager to be concerned about his marriage. Before, it was still okay, and he could always evade it. But since he became the Da Li Temple’s Chief, he got busy, and every time the Empress Dowager saw him, the theme of the conversation became ‘forced marriage’ —

“This …… cough …… I’m busy with official business and can not spare the time to pay attention to others …….” He lightly coughed twice with his fist. While looking for an excuse, he turned around, ready to escape. But the Empress Dowager pulled him back once again.
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“You! All day long, you either deal with dead people or criminals. Originally, you are a noble son with a beautiful face, but now you always have a stern look. Grandmother has to add more outer robes when I see you, or else I always feel cold.”
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After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she criticized his thin coat casually.
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“……” Su Moyi stood peacefully, not daring to make a sound.
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“Grandmother feels you are at the age of starting a family, looking for someone to manage you, take care of you, and let Grandmother relax.”
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“Grandson honors Grandmother’s teachings.” Su Moyi did not dare to listen further. He hurriedly saluted and was ready to leave.
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“So — eh, don’t run!” The Empress Dowager spoke and pulled Su Moyi back, “Do you know that your cousin, Shu, returned to the palace a few days ago? She hasn’t seen you for many years, and she misses you. It’s not easy for you to go to the palace. Can you meet her later?”
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Su Mo Yi: “…..”