Chapter 129: Changing Color

Huang Rang entered the study and casually closed the door.

Then, the pitiful tears in her eyes disappeared. She walked to a corner and said, “Back when I couldn’t move, you liked putting me here the most.”

Di Yiqiu was slightly surprised and turned to look. Huang Rang stood in that corner and said, “I used to stare at you here often, listening to the crackling of the charcoal fire and the howling of the wind and snow. You were handling official documents, occasionally flipping through pages, and the sound of the brush rustling…”

She mentioned the past, and Di Yiqiu gently opened his arms.

Huang Rang walked towards him, light as a sunbeam.

As the beauty embraced him, warmth and fragrance filled the air. Di Yiqiu tried to maintain a proper posture, gently stroking Huang Ran’s long hair, feeling the softness beneath his fingertips. “What were you thinking back then?” he asked softly.

Huang Rang pressed her face against his neck and mumbled, “Because I couldn’t move, I thought about many things. I wondered if your study was so simple to maintain a facade of purity. I wondered why the potted plant in the corner of your study grew so large. I wondered…”

She lifted her head, her lips brushing against his earlobe as she whispered, “I wondered about your long fingers holding the brush… Your profile is so handsome.”

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What’s not a big deal… The chief raised an eyebrow.

At this moment, someone outside said, “Chief, the Emperor heard that you have returned from your travels and is very pleased. He has specially come to invite you.”

Di Yiqiu didn’t have time to ask more and said, “I’ll go to the palace first.”

He stood up, ready to leave. Seeing Huang Rang hesitating to speak, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

After hesitating for a while, Huang Rang suddenly asked, “Now, with your physique and cultivation, will it cause fear in the palace? Will they try to harm you?”

She became increasingly worried: “Won’t they poison you?”

Di Yiqiu was stunned. It took him a while before he chuckled and said, “Come with me to the palace.”

Huang Rang readily agreed. She was anxious and uneasy; even staying in the Celestial Court would only lead to restless thoughts. It was better to go along.

Di Yiqiu led her out of the Celestial Court, and she did not forget her identity as a little maid, following behind Di Yiqiu all the way. It was now evening, the sun was setting in the west, and the evening glow was about to ignite.

Huang Rang followed him, watching the radiant glow enveloping him and feeling joyful.

Zhu Xiang and others saw her obediently following behind their chief, and they were all jubilant and inspired, sighing with emotion.

Being a substitute was really unlucky.

Back then, wherever Huang Rang went, it was the chief who pushed her, adorned in splendid clothes, afraid of getting a speck of dust on her. How many steps had she truly walked?

In the imperial palace, as soon as Di Yiqiu entered, a palace attendant came forward.

“Chief,” the palace attendant respectfully said, “the Emperor has been waiting for a long time. Please follow me, chief.”

Di Yiqiu nodded and followed the palace attendant through the palace grounds. Huang Rang looked at the familiar path, feeling emotional. This imperial palace, in her dreams and waking moments, she had come and gone so many times.

Upon entering the hall, Huang Rang immediately saw the new emperor.

Shi Zhenlang came forward, not displaying the demeanor of an emperor, and said, “Uncle, where have you been all these years? It was really hard for me to find you.”

His words were sincere, and Di Yiqiu, arm in arm with him, replied, “Just traveling around. Everything in the court is well, showing the wisdom of Your Majesty.”

As the two complimented each other, Shi Zhenlang also noticed Huang Rang.

When Huang Rang died, he was still young and had not seen her. But he had seen the image of Goddess Xirang in the temple of the goddess many times.

“Who is this…” Shi Zhenlang asked.

Di Yiqiu replied, “A maid.”

Huang Rang quickly saluted him: “Ah Ran pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Ah Ran…” Shi Zhenlang was slightly stunned and said, “Miss Ah Ran’s appearance is simply…”

The palace attendant behind him reminded him, “Your Majesty, the Yibanxin tea is still best enjoyed while hot.”

Shi Zhenlang then realized—ah, there were long-standing rumors about Imperial Uncle admiring goddess Xirang. Now, this woman’s appearance and demeanor were so similar to the goddess. What more needs to be said?

A substitute…

Imperial Uncle still knew how to play.

Shi Zhenlang understood the intricacies and couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic towards Huang Rang.

He said, “Knowing that Imperial Uncle doesn’t drink alcohol, I specially prepared fragrant tea. Imperial Uncle, please have a cup.”

Di Yiqiu and him enjoyed the tea, while Huang Rang stood by his side, smelling the fragrance of the tea. However, her thoughts were not on the tea at all. Now that Di Yiqiu’s cultivation and strength have surpassed Shi Zhenlang’s, could there be poison in this tea?

She always liked to think of the worst, and her eyes were suddenly filled with worry.

Shi Zhenlang noticed—ah, the days as a substitute must be quite miserable. He felt even more sympathy for Huang Rang and said, “Miss Ah Ran, taking care of Imperial Uncle is also hard. If you have any needs, feel free to request from the palace.”

Huang Rang gave him a shallow salute and respectfully agreed.

However, she didn’t relax her vigilance. Seeing that Di Yiqiu was really about to drink the tea, she said, “Chief, didn’t you say… that you no longer drink tea lately? It was because you disliked Ah Ran’s tea-making skills.”

—Ah, being a substitute is truly unfortunate. Even tea-making can be criticized.

Shi Zhenlang said, “So Miss Ah Ran is also skilled in tea-making. Then, I will entrust all Yibanxin tea in the palace to Miss Ah Ran.” He didn’t know what Huang Rang was thinking, and his tone was gentle. The palace attendant by his side quickly echoed.

Huang Rang was anxious. Although Di Yiqiu had a unique physique, how many hidden poisons existed in the secrets of the immortal sect?

If someone really wanted to harm him with some malicious method, it would be hard to guard against it.

Di Yiqiu put down the cup, and Shi Zhenlang said, “Imperial Uncle, during your absence, there have been many rumors among the people, and they are always worried that the demonic book may cause chaos again. Now that you have returned, I suggest holding a grand ritual to soothe the people’s hearts. What do you think, Imperial Uncle?”

Di Yiqiu replied, “That’s fine. In recent years, the weather has been favorable, and Your Majesty has been praying for blessings in the temple of the goddess to ensure a bountiful harvest in the coming year.”

Indeed, he still couldn’t forget the old love.

Shi Zhenlang glanced at Huang Rang and couldn’t help but feel more pity. He said, “Excellent.”

Next was the matter of the ritual ceremony.

Imperial rituals were intricate and complicated. Di Yiqiu didn’t want Huang Rang to wait idly, so he turned and said, “Wait outside the hall.”

Seeing that Shi Zhenlang had no ill intentions towards Di Yiqiu, she felt slightly relieved. She gave a light salute and respectfully retreated outside the hall.

As soon as she left, Shi Zhenlang sighed, “Miss Ah Ran is truly beautiful.”

He spoke while observing Di Yiqiu’s reaction. Di Yiqiu, flipping through the almanac, had an expression without joy or sorrow.

Tsk, truly keeping emotions hidden.

Shi Zhenlang couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

Huang Rang retreated outside the hall and saw a person waiting in the middle of the hall.

This person wore a helmet and battle armor, waiting to be summoned. He was precisely focused on the hall, waiting for Shi Zhenlang’s summons. Now, seeing someone come out of the hall, he couldn’t help but gaze intently.

At this moment, Huang Rang suddenly turned her head. In the radiant twilight, a beautiful woman appeared like a rainbow.

The watery brilliance in her eyes instantly penetrated his armor, hitting him squarely in the chest.

Huang Rang glanced back and felt that this young general, with his righteous demeanor and outstanding presence, resembled Xie Hongchen from his youth.

She smiled brightly and then left.

Meanwhile, inside the hall, Shi Zhenlang said, “During Imperial Uncle’s absence from the court these years, many talents have emerged. A few days ago, there was a fierce general who, at the age of nineteen, repelled the barbarians and pacified the northern border.”

“Oh?” Di Yiqiu said, “I should meet him if there’s a chance.”

Shi Zhenlang smiled. “What’s difficult about that? This person is now outside the hall.” He raised his voice and said, “General Xuan An, come in!”

The palace attendants immediately summoned him, and General Xuan An took a few steps but couldn’t help turning back. Then, General Xuan An almost tripped flat on the ground!

The palace attendants stifled their laughter as they approached to help him up. General Xuan An hastily shrugged them off—how could a dignified military general let palace attendants assist him?

While walking, he whispered, “Who is that… Which lady is she?”

The palace attendant, aware of the young man’s admiration, nonchalantly replied, “The lady who just came out from the main hall; she is the chief’s maid.”

“Maid…?” General Xuan An felt dizzy but allowed the palace attendant to lead him inside. It seemed like his body had entered, but his soul hadn’t.

He stood blankly in the hall, and the chief couldn’t help but frown—this man looked handsome, but why did he seem a bit dim-witted?

Shi Zhenlang cleared his throat, and the palace attendant beside him quickly tugged at his sleeve.

“Uh… ah.” General Xuan An finally reacted and hurriedly bowed, “Your Majesty.” He glanced at Di Yiqiu and bowed again, “Chief.”

Shi Zhenlang then asked, “Chief, how is this person’s aptitude?”

Di Yiqiu glanced at him and said, “He’s a talented individual.”

Shi Zhenlang nodded, saying, “General Xuan An has meritorious service in suppressing bandits. Now that he has returned to the court, is there any reward he seeks?”

He smiled and looked toward Di Yiqiu, even adding a reminder, “With the chief here, even if I can’t do it, the chief will surely assist.”

He said this with a friendly demeanor, and the atmosphere in the hall remained harmonious and pleasant.

General Xuan An looked at Di Yiqiu with hopeful eyes and asked, “Chief…chief, can you truly assist this humble general?”

This young man, does he want to join the Celestial Court?

Both Shi Zhenlang and Di Yiqiu had the same thought.

After all, entering the immortal sect is the dream of many worldly individuals.

Seeing that the Emperor had spoken, Di Yiqiu said, “Since Your Majesty has issued a decree, do I have any objections?”

Speak up, young man.

Indeed, General Xuan An was overjoyed. He deeply bowed to Di Yiqiu, touching his forehead to the ground, and said, “I earnestly request chief to grant the maid who just left as my wife!”

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed!

Even the chief’s expression changed, but his color seemed a bit green…