Chapter 9 - JADE PENDANT (1/2)
CHAPTER 9: JADE PENDANTYan Luan and Emperor Qi Ling’s engagement was hastily decided two years ago by Queen Dowager Chu. At that time, the prime minister Wang Yong dominated the imperial court, and the only one who could oppose him was Marquis Huai Yin’s residence. So, for the sake of drawing Princess Yong Kang in, the Chu family used their position and betrothed Yan Luan in the middle of the court.
But everyone couldn’t foresee that the verbal engagement would attract Yan Jing’s jealousy. Not only killing Emperor Qi Ling with poison, but also making his influence grew stronger day by day, and within just a few years, he punished and killed the Emperor’s clan, moving towards the pinnacle of his life.
“Is your body alright?”
Yan Luan still felt a bit nervous facing Emperor Qi Ling’s gentle question. One was because she was seeing a live Emperor herself, the other was because of Yan Dao’s frightening eyes, looking as if he was really disdaining her and the Emperor’s talking together.
“There’s no harm anymore, there’s only some matters that I couldn’t remember clearly.”
Looking at her soft and delicate cheeks along with the virtuous and graceful bearing of Yan Luan, Emperor Qi Ling laughed as he untied the Blue Bird jade pendant from his waist. His beautiful long finger moved a little, handing over the jade pendant to Yan Luan. The retainer at his side immediately wanted to stop him but then they moved back from the Emperor’s wave of hand.
“We [T/N: Emperor’s way of calling himself] see that you’re always gazing at this jade pendant. Take it then, this is a gift for you.”
Yan Luan was stupefied looking at his picturesque young imperial countenance that was tinted with an abnormal pale colour. The gentleness in his eyes mixed with a smile while holding the jade pendant in his long and slender fingers. His movements seemed to possess a bit of delicateness mixed with a noble elegance.
“Your Majesty…”
The Northern Qi Imperial Family’s symbol was the Blue Bird, but the Blue Bird jade pendant that was carried with the Emperor had greater and heavier meaning. The government officials who were following at the left and right side of the Emperor hesitated to say something. Yan Luan realized at once that this thing wasn’t something that she could handle.
“Take it, and don’t lose it.”
The young monarch didn’t allow others to interfere and readily put the jade pendant inside Yan Luan’s hand. He was perfectly content with looking at Yan Luan’s lovely and smart appearance gazing at the pendant lovingly. When he stood up, he gave a smile towards Yan Dao at the side.
“That’s right, Marquis Huai Yin and Brother Cousin Jing’s triumphant return is in sight, Queen Mother has already prepared a banquet to celebrate.”
Hearing what he said, Yan Dao answered with a heavy tone, making Yan Luan who was playing with the pendant pale with fright. She raised her small face towards Emperor Qi Ling and asked: “Triumphant return? Big Brother is coming back?!”
……
Even after they returned to Marquis Huai’s residence, Yan Luan still hadn’t come back to her consciousness from this heavy blow. Thinking about Yan Jing’s return made her felt like she was on pins and needles, she just can’t rest or eat in peace and she continuously had nightmares when she slept.
One night, there was a silent drizzle, and as a result, it became slightly chilling at the morning, so the servants changed Yan Luan into a peach-colored gown to provide more warmth. The noble attire was imported from the country of Yan. The unlined garment was arranged in a numerous and complicated way, showing clearly the young girl’s slender waistline. Her dainty tiny waist moved slightly, arousing people’s envy.
Yan Luan looked at herself in the mirror. The unripe and lovely 13 years old body was far from the mature ones’ outstanding lingering charm, but she had her own special beauty, particularly the raven-like hair that was rolled up into a flower bun.
“Today, WengZhu is especially beautiful.” the maidservant who was putting on a jade hairpin on her hair, said this sentence with a blank and smitten look on her face.
It’s a pity that Yan Luan hadn’t come of age [T/N: 15 years old], so the maid could only decorate her hair into a low flower bun style. The pearl and jade hairpins in front of her forehead leaving two threads of neat and trimmed black hair falling down loosely under her ear, painting a pretty and quiet beauty.
“WengZhu, Second Young Master came.”
She hadn’t met Yan Dao from the day when she came back to the residence. She realized that Yan Jing would return within the next few days, so she lost her mood to play. With a bitter expression, she brought her maidservant and went to the antechamber.