ALL NOVEL chapter 27
Chapter 27: Tea in the Imperial Garden
“Sit down.”
Here, there was a pavilion, and opposite the pavilion was the artificial lake of the Imperial Garden.
It is said that a large amount of financial, material, and human resources were used to build this lake, and the position of the dragon vein was carefully surveyed. It is said that building the artificial lake in this place could maximize the extraction of the dragon vein, thereby enhancing the spiritual energy of the entire palace.
In other words, it could make the palace a holy place for cultivation.
Of course, this is just a rumor. After all, as the artificial lake behind the palace, whether this is true or not is only known to those who participated in the excavation of the lake and the royal family.
Inside the pavilion were very simple stone tables and stone chairs. One would think that the things in the palace should be made very exquisitely, but these stone-carved tables and chairs were just in the shape of tables and chairs, and even the polishing was not done well. When Qin Ji sat down, he immediately felt a chill under his buttocks.
When Xia Yuxiao sat down, her expression changed slightly, and then she silently stood up a little. This scene was keenly captured by Qin Ji.
He quickly took out a handkerchief from his body—this was an ornament of the imperial official’s uniform, commonly known as a “mirror cloth.” As the name suggests, it was used in front of a mirror. Its original purpose was to allow officials to tidy up their clothes and wipe off stains or blood from their faces before meeting the emperor. So naturally, it was used together with a mirror, hence the name mirror cloth.
However, as the empire gradually stabilized, officials no longer needed to live hard lives, so this mirror cloth became an ornament on the official uniform, more as a ceremonial item. It was somewhat similar to the jade worn by scholars at their waists.
Qin Ji spread out the mirror cloth in his hand and handed it to Xia Yuxiao: “Your Majesty, if you don’t mind, use this.”
As the ceremonial significance of the mirror cloth increased, the materials used became more and more exquisite. Initially, officials’ mirror cloths were made of various materials, some were made of cotton cloth, some of animal fur, and some even of leaves. Later, they gradually became unified into silk and brocade, so the material was very comfortable and suitable for placing under oneself.
Xia Yuxiao looked at the mirror cloth in front of her, then at Qin Ji, showing undisguised disgust, and then pulled up a smile: “How could I mind, thank you for your kindness. You… know quite a lot.”
After speaking, she placed the mirror cloth under herself and sat down.
Qin Ji was quite puzzled. What did he know? How did he know a lot? Girls shouldn’t sit on cold places, that’s basic knowledge from his world, right?
Forget it, that’s not the point anyway.
On the stone table was a pot of tea and two exquisite cups, with a mysterious bird drawn on them in gold thread. Xia Yuxiao picked up the teapot, and Qin Ji wanted to pour tea for her first, but Xia Yuxiao did not let him do so and instead poured him a cup of tea herself.
“Qin Ji, can I call you by your name like this?”
Looking at the beautiful scenery around, Xia Yuxiao’s words discarded all the titles between monarch and minister.
“Your Majesty, you can call me whatever you like.”
“You don’t have to be so restrained, don’t call me Your Majesty—don’t forget, you are my foster brother.” There was a hint of helplessness in her tone. But this emperor might not know that Qin Ji felt even more helpless than she did.
If possible, Qin Ji didn’t want this title at all. The title of “Brother Ya” was just a name given to him because there was no other title to give, which actually meant that his power was too great. Now this woman was very sensitive, and he didn’t want to provoke her any further.
“Then, Your Majesty, I will relax a little.”
“Mm, as you wish.”
The two of them sat there, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to freeze, with only the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves.
“I know what you want, Qin Ji,” Xia Yuxiao said earnestly, “I know you have your own ideas. Maybe my way of ruling doesn’t align with your thoughts—perhaps I’m indeed incompetent, or maybe you see too far ahead. In any case, I know very well what you want to do.”
No, you don’t understand, Your Majesty. I don’t seek fame or fortune; I just want to protect myself, my sister, and Ling Yan.
Qin Ji thought this in his heart but didn’t dare to say it out loud—saying it would be unbelievable.
“Your Majesty, I really don’t mean that. I just think…”
“You just think that many of my actions are inappropriate, that I’m too hesitant, too focused on internal conflicts… right?” Her smile appeared somewhat weary.
“But Qin Ji, you are a minister, and I am the ruler. You haven’t stood in this position, so you don’t know how heavy the burden of a ruler is. You want to say so much, but it all boils down to one thing: as a ruler, I haven’t done well enough. But Qin Ji, today, I will treat you as my brother and vent my anger—do you think you could do better if you were in my position?”
The empress’s eyes were deep and calm. At this moment, she seemed completely unconcerned that this important minister in front of her might get angry or have other thoughts; she just looked at him.
“I cannot.”
“See, you’re putting on the airs of a minister again.” She withdrew her gaze and waved her hand jokingly, “Aren’t we just chatting? I know you have grievances, but you can vent them at me, at the civil and military officials in the court, or even at yourself. But you cannot vent them at the great land of Daxia.”
“Qin Ji, I came to have tea with you today for two reasons. One is to help you cool down—I heard from your sister that you’ve been so angry lately that you’ve developed mouth ulcers. Here, some top-grade herbal tea to help you cool down. The other reason is, I want to ask you, as a friend: what do you ultimately want to do?”
“If I tell you, will you believe me, Your Majesty?”
Qin Ji asked a very profound question.
“Whether I believe it or not is my business. Whether you say it or not is yours.” She simply said.
“Then, to be frank, I just want my family to live peacefully and safely, and to spend the rest of our lives in stability.”
Qin Ji said.
Xia Yuxiao raised the teacup in her hand, the herbal tea exuding a fragrant aroma at her lips. She showed a slight smile, unclear whether it was a happy smile or a smile of extreme anger.
After she finished sipping the tea, she nodded, “I believe you, but I also don’t. Everyone hopes for their family to live peacefully and safely. Living is the most basic requirement of a person. But besides living?”
“I think, as the Grand Marshal, you wouldn’t have done so much just for a peaceful and safe life, right?”