CH 41

The Gilded Cage Chapter 41

Lady Yue (1)

“Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My procession is in your way.”

She leaned forward and bowed before the majestic horse, causing the front of her gown to part slightly and provide a peek of her plump breasts.

Xiao Kezhi looked at her indifferently. He looked past her deliberately exposed cleavage and frowned. “Who are you?”

Zhao Yue looked up, gave a well-practiced charming smile, and said gently, “My brother is the general, Zhao Lun. I have only recently returned to Chang’an, so we have not met before this.”

“Um.” Xiao Kezhi glanced at the majestic procession of servants behind her.

“Since we had never met, how did you recognize me?” His expression remained indifferent and was not angry, but his thoughts were unreadable. On the other hand, his horse was growing impatient from standing still for too long and kept digging its hooves against the ground, wanting to move.

Zhao Yue grew up in a military family, so she was not bothered by a restless horse. She stood still and said with a smile, “Your Majesty is high born, handsome, and imbued with majesty even while dressed in normal attire. Therefore, I instantly knew that you were the Emperor.”

She complimented him so naturally as if she spoke from her heart. However, the people around her felt uncomfortable.

Jin Jiang, who had not spoken at all, also took a good look at Zhao Yue.

“She is dressed luxuriously. For some reason, she is able to recognize the Emperor and deliberately expose her cleavage to him. Everyone can see her intent, but she remains calm and does not feel any shame. There are truly all sorts of people in this large city.” He thought.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but feel a shiver go down his spine and turned around to see Xiao Kezhi’s reaction.

Xiao Kezhi did not seem surprised by her bold remarks. He just tightened his rein, raised his chin, and said, “Since you know I’m the Emperor, why aren’t you clearing the way?”

Zhao Yue was stunned at his sudden sternness, and her expression froze. She stepped aside and indicated to the servants behind her.

The large procession slowly moved to the side, opening up half of the wide road.

Xiao Kezhi led his guards to leave quickly and continued toward the Jubilee Gate. Meanwhile, Zhao Yue stood still and kept looking at his back profile with a complicated expression. A moment later, a maid named Chun Yan came to help her back into the carriage.

“Madam, should we go to the temple?” Chun Yan saw that Zhao Yue was in a bad mood, so she hesitated for a moment before asking softly.

“I have met him, so there’s no point in going to the temple now,” Zhao Yue said coldly as she leaned into the cushion and placed a hand on her forehead. There was no hint of the previous gentleness on her beautiful face.

The only reason she came out today was to meet Xiao Kezhi.

……

Earlier, someone had informed her that he was heading to the military barrack on the outskirt of the city. She deliberately appeared in his way to see what kind of person he was.

Before returning to Chang’an, she had her elder brother send people to investigate in Ganzhou and find out everything about the new Emperor. The report said that he was decisive, did not care for customs, and most importantly, never had a relationship with a woman.

She had seen quite a few men like him in her father’s army. They always appeared calm, emotionless, and undisturbed.

However, after seeing him today, she felt that he was different from them. She could not tell what kind of person he was.

…

Meanwhile, Xiao Kezhi pursed his lips and did not say anything after leaving.

Just now, Zhao Yue’s intention was so obvious that he could tell instantly.

However, he did not care about it. He was more curious as to why she appeared before him.

As he was unmarried, many noble ladies aspired to marry him and become the Empress. However, due to his demeanor, no one dared to be obvious about it. Yet, the Zhao family behaved differently.

“Did they hear rumors from the palace?” He wondered.

He thought for a moment before turning to Jin Jiang and said, “Can you send someone privately to Bozhou and investigate Zhao Lun. It would be good if you can also find out about his father too.”

“Understood,” Jin Jiang said and remained quiet again. He did not seek to continue the conversation about the changes in the city’s defense.

He had been with Xiao Kezhi for many years, so he knew him well. Although Xiao Kezhi remained expressionless, he was actually busy thinking about what happened just now. Thus, Jin Jiang did not disturb him and waited quietly for his orders.

“As for the other…” Xiao Kezhi looked up at the nearing Jubilee Gate and tightened his rein, causing the horse to come to a halt. “Find some ways for Qimu to find out that a woman from the Zhao family approached me on my way back to the palace.”

He realized that he did not have to deal with the woman himself. He could get someone to deal with her for him.

Jin Jiang was stunned for a moment before realizing that Xiao Kezhi was going to let Qimu deal with the woman. He quickly nodded in response.

…

As they were nearing the Jubilee Gate, he couldn’t resist asking, “Your Majesty, are we not returning to the palace directly?”

Xiao Kezhi’s mouth curved up for a second before returning to normal. He casually got down from the horse and said, “Wait for a moment and stand guard here.”

…