Chapter 55: The Imperial Concubine Leaves the Palace
The news from the servants at the Yongping Marquis’s residence that Lin Xiu had gone out filled Yang Xuan with great delight.
Since the banquet at the Xue residence, he had devised a perfect plan to deal with Lin Xiu, one that, if successful, would make it impossible for even the Zhao family to intervene.
Everything was ready, just waiting for Lin Xiu to take the bait.
But this wait lasted seven days.
Seven days! That damn Lin Xiu, did he have any idea how Yang Xuan had spent those seven days?
Seven days, eighty-four hours, six hundred seventy-two moments—he was constantly thinking of that plan, even dreaming of Lin Xiu being unable to turn the tables.
Initially, he didn’t harbor such hatred for Lin Xiu, but this person was simply too arrogant.
It was precisely this arrogance that pushed Yang Xuan to the brink.
What did it mean to “enjoy seeing you unable to stand me yet unable to do anything about it”? For the eldest son of a first-rank marquis, that was an immense humiliation!
Currently, there were three first-rank marquises in the Daxia dynasty. The Zhao family was newly promoted and lacked deep roots, while another family’s influence was inferior to that of the Yang family.
His father, the first-rank Yongping Marquis, was still in his prime and had a bright future ahead. Unless unexpected events occurred, there was a possibility of being conferred a title within the next twenty years, or even ten.
Thus, while the Yang family was still just a marquis family, even the direct heirs of third-rank duke families treated him with courtesy.
Yet a mere son of a third-rank earl dared to insult him like this—this was the most crucial reason why Yang Xuan was so eager to take action against Lin Xiu.
Of course, due to his special status, he couldn’t directly confront Lin Xiu.
While the Yongping Marquis’s residence couldn’t claim to hold sway over the court, they had many officials under their influence, particularly in the Eastern City government, which was practically a branch of the Yang family. This time, the one acting on his behalf was the son of the Eastern City magistrate.
In fact, the Eastern City constable could handle such matters, but Yang Xuan was dissatisfied with how Wu Qing had managed things last time, and as a result, that person was now marginalized in Yang Xuan’s eyes.
There was another reason he didn’t act personally.
Over the past few days, he had repeatedly attempted to take action against Lin Xiu but had failed time and again—this was not something that could be explained away as mere “coincidence.”
Last time, his oversight in not investigating Lin Xiu’s whereabouts led to failure; he hadn’t realized Lin Xiu was busy making ice for the palace.
On one hand, he hadn’t taken Lin Xiu seriously; on the other hand, while investigating other matters in the capital was relatively straightforward, probing into the inner palace affairs was another story. Who would dare inquire? If the Emperor found out, would they still have their heads?
Everyone knew the Emperor favored the Imperial Concubine the most. Once, a few censors merely mentioned in the Golden Hall that a certain concubine lacked poise in her movements and should learn more about court etiquette. Though the Emperor didn’t comment at the time, he didn’t attend court for three months afterward…
Since then, those censors who couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand in their eyes no longer dared to publicly criticize the concubines. At most, they would remind the Emperor privately.
Lin Xiu had cleverly used this situation to set him up once. If he had acted directly then, he might have found it difficult to extricate himself.
This person was not only arrogant but also cunning. To be safe, it would be best for him to remain in the shadows.
Even if unexpected events occurred, the Eastern City magistrate and his son could shoulder the blame, ensuring Yang Xuan wouldn’t be implicated.
Yang Xuan let out a sigh of relief and reviewed today’s plan once more, finding no flaws. He then walked out of the Yongping Marquis’s residence with his hands clasped behind his back, a slight smile curving his lips. “Let’s go and see the show…”
**Zhaiyue Tower.**
As soon as Lin Xiu stepped out of his house, he headed straight to Zhaiyue Tower, waiting at the entrance for the arrival of the Imperial Concubine.
The Imperial Concubine was a crucial part of his plan.
After returning from the Xue residence, Lin Xiu had already formulated this plan.
In the capital, the Yongping Marquis’s residence wielded tremendous power. Lin Xiu knew he could never compete with them openly, and in terms of underhanded tactics, Yang Xuan, as the son of a first-rank marquis, had far more resources at his disposal.
Thus, he needed to leverage another force.
A force that even the Yongping Marquis’s residence could not afford to offend.
Angering Yang Xuan at the Xue residence was the first step in his plan.
Lin Xiu aimed to be arrogant enough to provoke Yang Xuan beyond his limits, forcing him to act immediately against him. He had stayed home for seven days without stepping outside, all to make Yang Xuan anxious.
From the third day of Lin Xiu staying at home, Yang Xuan had arranged for people to monitor the Lin residence, and Lin Xiu realized he was getting desperate.
When he finally stepped out again, Yang Xuan would undoubtedly be unable to resist taking action.
This was exactly what Lin Xiu hoped for.
Therefore, he entered the palace and left through the back door, meeting the Imperial Concubine before boldly walking out the front door.
He wanted Yang Xuan’s people to see him.
After waiting for a quarter of an hour at the entrance of Zhaiyue Tower, Lin Xiu spotted three figures approaching from the direction of the palace.
The Imperial Concubine was holding her spirit pet, followed by two others: a petite palace maid and a close eunuch of Emperor Xia.
However, Lin Xiu was keenly aware that although it appeared to be only the three of them, there were likely numerous hidden guards protecting the Imperial Concubine. Even a minor issue could lead to the area being heavily surrounded.
Today, the Imperial Concubine was not wearing the extravagant palace attire but had instead donned a simple yet elegant dress, her makeup light. She appeared more like a beautiful noblewoman than a royal.
But the noble, dignified, and elegant aura she exuded was something that not just any noblewoman could possess.
Of course, to ordinary people, this aura might only come off as an inaccessible distance. Only true top-tier aristocrats could recognize that it was a quality developed over many years in high positions, a quality rare among women in the entire capital.
The petite palace maid and the head eunuch behind her were also dressed in ordinary attire.
Lin Xiu quickly stepped forward, and before he got close, the Imperial Concubine said, “Just call me ‘Madam.'”
Then she looked down at her spirited pet and exclaimed, “You were right; ever since I brought it out, it’s been full of energy…”
Lin Xiu’s words were indeed accurate because it was he who had prompted this little creature to act this way. He had suggested that the Imperial Concubine leave the palace, and if it bore no results, the trust he had painstakingly built with her might diminish significantly.
Seeing the Imperial Concubine’s mood improve, she asked Lin Xiu, “What should we do now?”
Lin Xiu replied, “The spirit pet has been in the palace for too long and is feeling stifled. Madam, you just need to carry it and stroll around the streets for an hour, treating it like a normal outing…”
“Strolling?” The Imperial Concubine glanced at Lin Xiu and said, “I’ve never strolled before. What exactly constitutes a stroll?”
Before entering the palace, the Imperial Concubine was likely the kind of daughter from a prominent family, kept in seclusion and rarely going out. After entering the palace, it was even harder to leave, making the ordinary activity of strolling something she had to inquire about.
Lin Xiu thought for a moment and said, “Madam, just walk around the streets of the capital, looking at whatever you wish and buying whatever you like…”
The Imperial Concubine, clearly on her first outing, was filled with curiosity, her noble face brightening with smiles, her complexion visibly improving.
The petite palace maid following her, Zhu Jin, was astonished. The Imperial Concubine had been in poor spirits lately, and her complexion had been deteriorating. The Imperial Medical Academy had prescribed several remedies, yet none had worked. The Emperor was quite worried as well.
Little did they expect that just after leaving the palace, the Imperial Concubine’s condition would improve so much. Although the son of the Pingan Marquis was reckless, he had inadvertently done something good.
As they wandered the streets of the capital, the strikingly beautiful and graceful Imperial Concubine naturally attracted countless gazes, often bumping into people in front of her due to distracted glances, leading to minor disputes.
Such incidents were not unexpected by Lin Xiu.
In fact, he often faced similar situations when walking with Lingyin, though not as frequently as with the Imperial Concubine.
Lingyin, at just seventeen, still had a youthful innocence. She was indeed beautiful, but her aura hadn’t fully developed.
The Imperial Concubine’s regal grace was something no other woman could imitate. Moreover, the concubines in the palace were all well-maintained. Despite being in their thirties, their skin was as tender as freshly peeled eggs, without a single wrinkle around their eyes. If not for their mature physiques, one might believe they were twenty.
While they were out strolling, on another street of the capital, Yang Xuan was receiving reports from his subordinates.
“Young Master, we’ve found them. Lin Xiu is flirting with a beautiful married woman. That woman is quite stunning and alluring…”
Yang Xuan’s expression darkened, gritting his teeth as he said, “What an insufferable fool! He has an engagement with Lingxuan yet dares to sow discord. Have Wang Hong take action immediately and report back to me at all times…”
