Volume One, Chapter 12: The Pisces Jade Pendant

Empress Dowager Deng was greatly pleased upon hearing this and nodded eagerly.

“Mo’er truly is born with wisdom and strategy, yet the sons of the Deng family are also remarkably accomplished. If Mo’er could make Lou Hongling fall for you…”

Her words trailed off as she cast a sidelong glance at him.

Interest is one thing, but playing the part is another. Deng Chumo hesitated.

“Your Majesty, did you not say you intend to arrange a match between me and Li Shangyan, the daughter of Chief Justice Li Chun’an...?”

Deng Chumo still had an elder brother, Deng Yizhu, whose literary and martial talents were on par with his own. Without greater backing, his future influence at court remained uncertain. This was crucial for whether he could rise above his peers within the Deng family.

Empress Dowager Deng, sensing his hesitation, softened her expression and said, “Mo’er, women are most easily ensnared by matters of the heart. Sometimes their affection can drive them to reckless folly. If you aspire to greatness, you must understand how to better leverage your own qualities…”

Deng Chumo pondered her words in silence, already feeling enlightened. His expression relaxed as he replied candidly, “Yes, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty.”

Lou Hongling, feeling cheerful, hurried back to the Xuanshi Palace from Zhang Zhiqiu’s place. As she crossed the imperial garden, she caught sight of a figure in a deep red robe, whose every movement exuded an air of nobility.

It was none other than Deng Chumo. Lou Hongling rolled her eyes inwardly. Though Deng Chumo’s features were as handsome as a jade seal, at a glance a fine gentleman, his haughty and ambitious airs wasted his good looks.

She planned to pass by without stopping.

“Wait.”

Deng Chumo raised his voice, halting her steps with a tinge of displeasure.

“Since you see this heir apparent, why do you not pay your respects?”

Lou Hongling took a deep breath, lifted her skirt, knelt, and bowed deeply.

“Your servant, Lou Hongling, pays respects to the heir apparent. I was concerned about attracting attention, so…”

Her voice gradually softened, filled with humility.

Yet Deng Chumo felt no ease. He could clearly sense that beneath her proper manners lay a calm composure that was not genuinely heartfelt.

But she was different from those shallow courtesans he had encountered before, who fawned over men with selfish aims.

This made him doubt his own allure. She was just a lowly palace maid—did he, a great heir apparent, hold no attraction for her?

He remained silent after the formal greeting, and Lou Hongling stayed kneeling without moving.

Thus, they fell into a brief silence.

After a long moment, eyes scanning to ensure no one was near, he finally broke the stalemate.

“How are the tasks the Empress Dowager assigned to you progressing?”

“I have been seeking opportunities to get close to Xu Qing to earn his trust. I hope Your Majesty will allow more time.”

Lou Hongling’s answer was flawless. Deng Chumo nodded, knowing there was nothing more to say.

Unconsciously, his gaze lowered to her face, unadorned yet radiant. He had not looked closely before, but now a certain tenderness stirred within him. He took the Empress Dowager’s advice to heart.

He reached out to lift the hand she had used in greeting, but felt a subtle tremor. His expression shifted to confusion.

Lou Hongling stepped back a few paces, maintaining her decorum as she said, “Thank you, heir apparent. If there is nothing else, your servant will take her leave.”

With that, she bowed and departed.

Deng Chumo’s expression darkened. For some reason, he keenly sensed her strong resistance toward him.

He had long been familiar with affairs of romance and was confident in his charm. Lou Hongling’s coolness left him feeling somewhat defeated.

He rested his hand on his chin, a playful glint in his eyes. The more she resisted, the stronger his desire to conquer grew.

As Lou Hongling walked away, she crossed her arms tightly, her delicate brow furrowed in displeasure. How disgusting.

Beneath her previously serene expression lay a suppressed murderous intent. She could not understand how she had once been willing to risk everything for such a man.

How to describe Deng Chumo’s recent display? Simply put, he was like a peacock spreading its feathers.

Truly ridiculous—he could not compare in any way to Xu Qing.

Thinking this, her steps faltered, a trace of surprise crossing her features. Why had she instinctively compared him to Xu Qing?

Lou Hongling shook her head and scratched her hair. In this life, she did not dare hope Xu Qing would love her again; she only wished to atone for her guilt, nothing more.

Yes, that was the answer. She nodded firmly and solemnly.

It must be so.

Soon, the first day of the month arrived, and the weather grew colder.

The palace was as serene as ever, the sky high and clear, calm as still water—at least on the surface.

Wei Xuanming led the palace guards of the Southern Army on patrol.

The Southern and Northern Armies were the imperial guards within Chang’an. The Southern Army guarded the southern palace, hence its name; the Northern Army protected the entire city from outside the gates, stationed beneath the city walls. The Northern Army was the backbone of maintaining order in the capital.

The Southern Army was under Wei Shulin of the reformist faction, while the Northern Army was commanded by Deng Wei, the Empress Dowager’s own brother. The relative importance of each went without saying.

Though Deng Wei appeared the commander of the palace guards, actual military power over the Southern Army lay with his elder brother, Wei Zhili.

Wei Xuanming knew his own abilities did not match his brother’s. Perhaps his father sent him into the palace for this very reason.

Born of a concubine, his mother had died young, and he was raised by the main wife. Though inferior to his elder brother, he believed that one day his efforts would earn his father’s recognition.

Thinking this, he placed his hand on his waist, intending to stroke the double-fish jade pendant his mother left him for comfort—but to his surprise, his hand grasped only empty air.

His heart sank. He signaled the guards to halt, gave orders to complete the patrol, then hurried back along the path, head lowered in search.

Swish, swish, swish—

Zhang Zhiqiu was sweeping fallen leaves in the imperial garden. Madam Zhang, under Lou Hongling’s direction, no longer troubled her and assigned her the lightest tasks, allowing her to enjoy the greenery as she worked. Zhang Zhiqiu was naturally cheerful and could make herself happy anywhere.

“Huh? What’s this?”

A jade pendant lay quietly in the grass.

Zhang Zhiqiu retrieved the pendant from a discreet patch of grass. Its polished, smooth surface showed how treasured it was, surely often fondled by its owner.

Judging by its style and craftsmanship, it must belong to someone noble within the palace. She examined it and noticed the cord knot, worn and slightly loose with age—a rare tying method she recognized. After some thought, she skillfully retied the knot.

Wondering how to return it to its owner, she was startled by a sneaky little eunuch who appeared.

“Where did you get that? It’s clearly not something a palace maid would have.”

Zhang Zhiqiu was taken aback.

“Don’t be so scary! I found it and was just thinking about how to return it.”

The little eunuch rolled his eyes, grinning shrewdly.

“How about we sell it outside and split the money?”

There were many unspoken rules inside the palace, one of which was pawning valuables. When palace attendants handed goods to merchants at the gates, these merchants would pawn the items, taking a cut before returning them either to the palace or to family outside.

This black market was well known among the lower ranks. Occasional thefts were overlooked as long as they were not too blatant, with overseers turning a blind eye in exchange for their shares.

“No, the person who lost it must be worried sick.”

Zhang Zhiqiu gave him a disdainful look, refusing.

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