777 Monarch and Subjec (2/2)
Jin Wuwei hesitated for a moment, but at the urging of the eunuch he undid the shackles and took a step back.
”Please come with me, Duke Bai. Don't keep Her Majesty waiting.” The eunuch smiled and turned around as he led the way. ”You know the palace rules better than me. I just beg that you take pity on me and not make Her Majesty angry again. Things are different now, if you make trouble now it may not go well for you.”
”Yes, indeed. Things are different now.” Bai Heng sighed and glanced at the eunuch. ”A dog like you dares to speak up to me.”
The eunuch's smile hardened.
Bai Heng passed the eunuch and walked straight into the inner chambers. Candles on both sides of the space shone a dim light, illuminating the gorgeous decorations on top of the pillars through the soft gauze. In one corner of the room stood a dressing table that was completely out of place in this majestic and noble palace.
In front of the mirror was a woman with long hair draped over her shoulders, like she had just woken from a nap. She looked up with sleepy eyes at Bai Heng's reflection in the mirror, and her slender eyes widened slightly.
”Long time no see. Your elegant demeanor is still the same, not changed from all those years ago.” The Empress nodded slightly. ”Very good.”
”Long time no see?” Bai Heng thought for a bit, then nodded. ”Ah yes.”
”It's been almost have a year, no?”
He shook his head and sighed. He did not kowtow. He just casually bowed. ”Disgraced minister Bai Heng, here to see Your Majesty. I wish Your Majesty long life, and health to...”
No one answered.
Bai Heng sighed, rose, and walked towards the Empress with light steps.
In the corner, the eunuch bowed deeply. He did not dare to look, he just crawled backwards and closed the door from the outside.
”I thought Your Majesty had something to say to me.” Bai Heng stood behind the Empress, and looked at her closely as she did her makeup.
”Can't you be a little quieter?” The Empress stared at herself in the mirror. She disinterestedly put down the brush that she had been painting her eyebrows with.
”It seems like I came at a bad time.” Bai Heng reached out and took the comb. He walked behind the Empress and combed her white hair. Her white hair was like silver as it slid between the teeth of the comb.
Just like so many times before, Bai Heng combed her hair familiarly. He coiled it up and pulled a jade pin from the table and stroked the sharp, cool pin gently across the Empress's slender neck.
Finally, he put it in her hair.
It was either a failed assassination or a great success.
”Come on, take some rouge!”
Bai Heng bowed with satisfaction as he looked at the Empress closely in the mirror. ”Unfortunately, though sick plums may be good, they are not suitable for humans. Your Majesty is in her prime. You should not always stay up so late. You are growing pale. That is not good.”
The Empress glanced at him indifferently. ”Maybe if you didn't bother me I would look better?”
Bai Heng smiled, and blew on the Empress's ear as he whispered, ”I just want to see what you look like when you get angry.”
Her indifference wavered slightly. Her brow creased imperceptibly.
Bai Heng nodded with satisfaction.
”It's such a pity that only criminals like me can see this side of you...” He held the Empress's shoulder and whispered, ”Someone so beautiful as Your Majesty, were she born into a common family, would surely already be married by now.” He did not say this like an experienced and astute regent would. He did not seem that old, and there was still a bit of licentiousness about him.
”Why force yourself?”
He lifted his finger and stroked it across her glamorous and majestic face. His eyes were full of pity. ”The imperial seal is too heavy. May I help you bear it? I will reorganize the Empire of Aurora for you. All you have to do is sit in that chair as the eternal wise ruler. With this harmony between monarch and subject, could we not defeat any challenge?”
Zap! A line of electricity shot out from Bai Heng's fingertips, burning his careless fingers.
Bai Heng's expression did not change. He merely shook his head, waved his fingers that could not feel anymore, and did not say anything more.
The Empress rose from the mirror.
”It's so boring talking in here. Come for a walk with me.”
”By your command.” Bai Heng bowed. There was no impatience or bitterness in his expression.
He waited quietly.
The Empress would arrange her own end.
…
He followed the Empress in silence. They passed through gate after gate as they silently marched along the path. Finally they came to a courtyard with the soothing, beautiful scenery. But it was guarded by Jin Wuwei, and it was difficult to get close.
There were more than a dozen white-haired devas sitting lazily within, reading, drinking, or making merry. The sound of stringed instruments and singing girls came from within.
When the Empress walked through the gate, all the sound came to an abrupt end.
Amid the noise of everyone kneeling, the Empress looked back at Bai Heng.
”Are you familiar with this?”
”Naturally.”
Bai Heng bent down and reached out to wipe the traces on the threshold. They came clearly into view. ”After all, I was shut in here for more than ten years.”