Chapter 42: The Emperor Arrives

"His Imperial Majesty arrives!"

A resonant voice echoed through the Meng estate. Led by Meng Hongchang and Wu Jiwen, the members of the Meng household knelt in two orderly rows.

"Rise, my loyal subjects."

Meng Yuxi remained on his knees, his face toward the ground like the others, unable to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. He found the Emperor’s voice to be both deep and imposing. Though his curiosity was piqued, the lack of a command to rise kept him—and everyone else—from daring to look up.

"As you command," Meng Hongchang replied respectfully as he stood. "Your Majesty, the chambers and study prepared for you and the Noble Consort are ready. I humbly invite you to proceed."

"Very well, Minister Meng. Lead the way."

As Meng Yuxi heard the footsteps passing directly before him, the sensation was deeply unsettling for someone like him—a soul who had traversed from the modern world. *One day, I will never have to kneel before anyone again!* he vowed silently.

A pair of boots, embroidered with golden threads of dragons and pearls, paused briefly as they passed by him.

"This way, Your Majesty," Meng Hongchang said, his voice—which Meng Yuxi knew was surely accompanied by a low, deferential bow—leading the procession.

"Good. Very good," the deep, majestic voice replied, sounding moved.

"Your Majesty, should we allow these people to rise? They have been kneeling for quite some time," a woman’s gentle, soft voice suggested.

The golden boots stepped forward, and the woman followed with light, graceful strides.

"You may all rise," a eunuch’s voice announced.

"We thank His Majesty for his grace, and the Consort for her kindness," Wu Jiwen chanted from the front. With Deng He’s assistance, she stood, and the rest of the Meng household followed suit.

Meng Yuxi glanced toward the Emperor’s group. Even among the tiger-like imperial guards, the man stood half a head taller. Though he saw only his back, the figure exuded the aura of a dragon among men—upright, vigorous, and imposing, with an air of authority that inspired awe.

*Hah, my build is about the same as his. Perhaps I have the bearing of an emperor myself,* Meng Yuxi joked to himself.

"What are you looking at? Do you not understand the rules of receiving the Emperor? Without a royal summons, no one is to leave their quarters. Those of you participating in the examinations are only permitted to leave when it is time for your tests!" Deng He scolded.

"Aunt Deng He, the rules are always so strict. Does that mean in all the times you’ve received the Emperor, you’ve never even seen his face?" Meng Yuxi retorted with a loud laugh. "If you end up in the afterlife and the King of Hell asks you what the Emperor looked like, you’ll still be a clueless ghost."

Deng He tried to force a smile to show she didn't care, but her face stiffened, and she could not hide her embarrassment. In the Dali Dynasty, who wouldn't want to behold the majesty of the Emperor? Alas, fate often denied them that chance.

"Deng He, why pay him any mind? Let us go," Wu Jiwen said, as calm as ever. Her sons, Meng Mingzhe and Meng Chenxuan, followed closely behind her. Since their previous encounter by the pond, the brothers had learned to be cautious; they acted as if they hadn't seen Meng Yuxi, and he, in turn, couldn't be bothered to question why Meng Mingzhe had returned to the estate before his period of confinement was over.

Meng Xueqiao leaned in close to Meng Yuxi and whispered, "Don't pick on old Deng He. Even the mistress, Wu Jiwen, has never seen the Emperor."

Meng Yuxi was surprised. "Doesn't the Empress often summon Wu Jiwen to the palace for conversation? How could she have never seen him?"

Meng Xueqiao chuckled. "Fourth Brother, you don't realize how vast the palace is. I heard that from the courtyard where the Empress resides to the Emperor's Warm Heart Pavilion, it takes half an hour just to ride a horse!"

"Is it really that exaggerated?" Meng Yuxi gasped. It was surely larger than the Forbidden City!

"Heh, that's just what I heard. Fourth Brother, the exam topics are being released this afternoon, and we aren't allowed to leave. Why don't I just come to your courtyard to study? We can keep each other company," Meng Xueqiao suggested.

"Don't you dare come! You'll only distract my young master from his studies. He’s aiming for a prestigious rank," Xiao Cui interjected with a roll of her eyes.

Before Meng Yuxi could speak, his maid had already stepped in. He wondered who had given her such boldness; lately, she seemed to act with complete disregard for decorum, much like a disgruntled employee ready to quit, fearing no one. Just as he was about to reprimand her, a confident yet soft voice rang out.

"Fifth Brother, where is the trinket you promised your Third Sister?"

Meng Xuexian walked out from behind the crowd with a smile. It was the first time Meng Yuxi had seen her in women's clothing. He realized then why the Crown Prince was infatuated and Meng Hongchang doted on her so. She was strikingly beautiful, possessing both feminine charm and a spirited, heroic air. Her skin was fair and her features exquisite. Meng Yuxi almost felt that the Crown Prince wasn't after any treasures in the Meng household, but was simply after the daughter herself.

"Third Sister," Meng Yuxi and Meng Xueqiao said in unison. Xiao Cui also curtsied and addressed her as "Third Young Miss," maintaining proper etiquette in front of strangers.

"Fourth Brother, Fifth Brother," Meng Xuexian said. She reached out and playfully pinched Meng Xueqiao’s ear. "Where is that talking bird you promised me?"

"What, you haven't even seen it yet, and it's already flown away?" Meng Xueqiao winced, clutching his ear. "Sister, it hurts! I’ve been confined to the house just like you, busy memorizing those useless political essays."

Meng Xuexian smiled but didn't let go. She knew her brother’s nature all too well—he was always full of whimsical ideas, and without some "motivation," anything she asked of him would be forgotten entirely.

"Exactly, which is why you were supposed to find me a bird to lift my spirits, weren't you?"

Watching her dimples and small canine teeth, Meng Yuxi thought that while she was certainly beautiful, she was also a bit unreasonable. They were both under confinement, so why should Meng Xueqiao have to go to such lengths to please her?

"That’s right! And that’s why I asked Fourth Brother to help me find one. Isn't that so, Fourth Brother?" Meng Xueqiao said, enduring the pain in his ear while twisting his head to blink frantically at Meng Yuxi, begging him to go along with it so he could escape.

Meng Yuxi cursed silently. Meng Xueqiao deserved this; he really was too soft-hearted for even thinking of defending him earlier. Meng Xuexian turned her beautiful eyes toward Meng Yuxi, filled with doubt, clearly only half-believing what her brother had just said.

"Clear the grounds! Set up the barriers! No leaving without authorization! No leaving without a royal command!"

The loud, rhythmic chants grew closer. Within the Meng estate, the Emperor’s guards moved in groups of three, occupying every passageway. Others carried ropes and wooden stakes, preparing to cordon off the examination area.

Most of the people in the estate had already cleared out, and those remaining were hurrying away. No one wanted to be mistaken for a suspicious character while merely looking around and ending up captured by the guards, who held the authority to execute first and report later.