Chapter 10：Promotion

One by one, the Emperor's actions always made people confused.

Now, early in the morning, Yin Hua Lei was summoned to the Grand Deity Hall where the court presided.

The morning court had just adjourned but all the officials felt that his Majesty wanted them to remain.

As it turned out, when the large doors were opened, imperial daughter Gao Le entered.

The officials' eyes bulged upon seeing the lady with ultimate grace as though she was a breeze cooling their withered hearts.

They all greeted her with a salute.

It wasn't the first time that a lady was summoned to a court meeting but still left one amazed every time.

But why is she here?

A question that even Yin Hua Lei didn't have the answer to.

The officials racked their brains for a reason but history told them that when a woman entered this hall, huge things always happened.

What would it be this time?

A few steps just before the throne platform, the imperial daughter curtsied.

"Uncle Emperor has called for Hua Lei?" An aloof voice was heard echoing in the large hall with gigantic red pillars.

Emperor Du Liang didn't answer immediately and opted to stare at Da Xia's top dignified officials from his dragon seat.

Some of them were righteous, some were mediocre, some were like wolves ever hungry for power. But they were all the same in his eyes. While, he, the Emperor was not the incompetent ruler that they thought.

His eyes traveled to Yin Hua Lei and something flickered in them but was gone in the speed of light.

The Emperor sighed while lamenting: "Zhen has wronged Our niece. All these years, Zhen knew what you're waiting for yet Zhen didn't give it to you. Now, your age is such. How can you still find...."

Another sigh.

Yin Hua Lei froze deep inside. Don't tell her this uncle was indirectly exposing her feelings to the world?

"No matter, We will make it up to you."

He then threw a glance at Eunuch Min who took it as a cue to step out with a golden scroll in hand.

"Imperial Daughter Gao Le, eldest miss of the Yin clan, heed the decree!"

It wasn't only Yin Hua Lei who knelt. All the top officials of Da Xia, even the right and left prime ministers were no exception. This was the son of heaven's will!

For a while, only the sounds of rustling clothes were heard.

Eunuch Min continued with his wise and solemn voice.

"His Majesty, the Emperor, watched imperial daughter Gao Le grow up and has been close to her like a father and teacher. It goes without saying that the Emperor witnessed imperial daughter's superior class, nobility and gracefulness. His Majesty hereby confers the title Royal Princess Gao Le and a piece of land northeast of the imperial city, along with handpicked treasures from the imperial treasury to Lady Yin Hua Lei of the court. Signed by Emperor Du Liang on the 21st day, 7th month of the 26th year of His reign. So it shall be!"

The old eunuch's voice rang clear and left many speechless and their minds to go blank.

"This princess-subject humbly accepts. Long live! Long live! Long live his Majesty!"

Good thing the officials were still rational to cheer the long live chant with her.

Eunuch Min handed the golden scroll to her like it was some precious treasure. Well, it really was but it felt like a hot potato in Yin Hua Lei's hands.

What could her Uncle be thinking? He was placing her under a large spotlight. How could she live peacefully as a spinster like this?

At the same time as the royal decree made the officials' heads spin, the said decree was also announced in the Duke Yin fu.

Unlike the officials, the members of the Yin family appeared not to be as shocked. They were surprised to a certain degree but they also knew of the Emperor's true face and peculiarity.

After properly giving thanks and sending the eunuch who announced the decree off, the whole family went to the main hall to discuss.

"Our Lord has cast a huge net this time." Old Duke Yin stroked his beard with an unreadable expression.

But his family understood him. The Emperor was their one true lord.

"I fear... meimei can't escape this unscathed." Huaying worried for his little cousin.

"It'll be dangerous." Huajing agreed with his older twin.

Fang Qi fisted his hand. "Tis her duty as a Yin. We should believe in her strength, be proud of her and do our best to protect her."

Nuo Wan held her husband's hand. She knew just how much he worried for Yin Hua Lei but always pretended to be strict on her.

Yin Ming sighed while eyeing his youngest child, Huayue who was muttering while playing on the side. "Our Yin daughters have tricky fates, don't they?"

Second madam, Yin shi understood his thoughts. "Don't worry. We will raise her strong like her elder cousin sister."

'This is why I'm hesitant to marry' the third master Yin Han thought.

"Oy, ol'third, this old man knows what you're thinking about. Find a wife soon or this father of yours will do it for you!"

With that, the heavy atmosphere was dispelled and the usual sounds of laughter were once again heard.

Who were they? They were the Yin family. They could crush all the adversities coming their way. Being the Emperor's hidden sword was tough but they'd been doing it for centuries.

This time was no different.

***

Yin Hua Lei was casually sitting on her arhat couch[1] as though nothing happened. She was busy sketching new designs of ornaments and the like. But as it turned out, nothing was entering her mind.

Her kohl stick only repeatedly hovered over the blank paper.

Her mind was busier. This new title. She didn't know what to make of it. As far as she knew, this wasn't supposed to happen in the original plot.

By now, she was supposed to lay low while planning the great assassination that she'd do two months later. But of course, she already ditched the plot so changes weren't surprising.

Still, this royal princess title gave her more problems. The rank of this title was now equivalent to the Empress' daughters. And in actuality, she was a bit ahead of them because Yin Hua Lei had her own Gao Le palace.

Royal princesses would usually live inside the Imperial Palace until the day they were married and then live in their husbands' residence. But she had the privilege to have her own palace like a prince.

Yin Hua Lei's head was starting to ache. Her Uncle Emperor took it seriously when she said she was still his greatest weapon.

She became a huge bait for greedy officials and princes. Now, her age truly didn't matter. Whoever married her had access to the land she was conferred, the honor of having a princess as a wife and the backing of the Yin clan.

Seeing the Emperor's actions, it didn't look like their family's rule of marrying the side branch would apply to her.

"Don't move." Yin Hua Lei told Xia Luyoung who was in front of her.

She had nothing better to do so why not paint this spoiled tenth princess? In the end, she replaced the coal stick she was holding with a brush.

It was early in the afternoon but Xia Luyoung froze due to Yin Hua Lei's words.

She only watched the imperia- no, the newly titled royal princess' hand slowly ease unto the paper.

Xia Luyoung was fetched by princess Gao Le after the former's imperial father bestowed the title. She now accepted that she would stay here at the Gao Le palace for as long as her father deemed.

She honestly thought that Yin Hua Lei would make it hard for her the moment she stepped inside the palace. But Xia Luyoung had done nothing but laze around since she arrived.

Now, she was accompanying princess Gao Le for the afternoon tea.

"Does tenth sister like this humble palace so far?"

Xia Luyoung stiffened as she remembered her own words in the marriage banquet.

"This princess has yet to fully explore Princess Gao Le's palace so I have yet to comment."

Yin Hua Lei only hummed in reply. Honestly, the Xia princes and princesses all had good faces. The royal family had undeniably superior genes so she had no complaints painting this tenth princess. One thing Yin Hua Lei liked was beautiful things.

"Why is tenth sister so stiff? Drink some tea and relax, it'll make the painting more exquisite. Put your left hand on that jaded pillow... yes, good."

Ranks were very important in Da Xia's royalty and nobility.

Good thing, the tea helped soothe Xia Luyoung somewhat.

"Tenth sister, what do you think of your ninth sister-in-law?" In the middle of painting, Yin Hua Lei casually asked.

Xia Luyoung smiled slyly, looking at the older lady. "Ninth brother is a deity above men. He shouldn't be married to mere mortals. This princess naturally doesn't like her and neither will this princess like you if you ever enter his palace."

The thirteen year old princess was really candid.

But this confirmed Yin Hua Lei's suspicions. Back at the marriage banquet, she already had a nagging feeling when she saw Xia Luyoung. Now that this came off the girl's lips, Yin Hua Lei was sure that the tenth princess was a mini villain for the female protagonist.

As though something was unlocked in her mind, a part of the plot concerning Luyoung had entered.

By the end of it, Yin Hua Lei's lips had an imperceptible curve. Xia Luyoung was a brother fanatic. Her end wouldn't be good because of it.

"Why will this princess enter Chang palace? Uncle Emperor already compensated me with a grand title, a piece of land and treasures. Naturally, this princess won't settle as a second wife."

"Wha-" Xia Luyoung received a shock. How could a lady casually say her desire for a man and nonchalantly say that she was compensated because she didn't capture the said man? She thought Yin Hua Lei was virtuous?

"Done... let it dry first and take a look at it after." Yin Hua Lei put down the canvas on the small table. "Now come, a lot of guests have been waiting for a long time."

Xia Luyoung didn't have the chance to compose herself when Yin Hua Lei stood up and left. She had no choice but to follow.

At the receiving hall of the palace, gifts were lined up and was being put to inventory by the eunuchs.

Yin Hua Lei was awarded new palace maids and eunuchs along with her title but she had them screened by Xin Tao and Xin Ling, her trusted maids.

The servants saw the two princesses and saluted in a disciplined manner. Yin Hua Lei was quite satisfied.

"Your highness, some madams and misses from the third rank and above are all requesting audience just behind the screen cover." Xin Tao reported.

"En... this princess is exchanging art ideas with tenth sister. Don't disturb." After that, she turned around and walked towards the direction of Quiet Wind court where Xia Luyoung was currently residing.

Xin Tao unhurriedly did as her mistress told her.

Once again, Xia Luyoung was slack-jawed. This Princess Gao Le was absurd beyond comparison!

Those were third rank and above officials' wives and daughters and she didn't want to give them face on the first day that she was titled?

Yin Hua Lei sensed the young lady's irritation so she said, "This princess has been like this since before. Tell, tenth sister, should this princess change?"

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[1]Arhat couch- usually translated as arhat bed but it looks more like a couch to me.