My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 778 - 487: Fond of the New, Tired of the Old (Two-in-One)_2

When she glanced over, Dong Guifei, still tightly handcuffed, gracefully bowed, her demeanor impeccable from top to bottom.

"What a great pretender." An Hou spoke with a tone of sarcasm.

Dong Guifei did not retort and just nodded gently, "But the task you assigned me, Your Majesty, has been accomplished after all."

"It's just a trivial matter, are you trying to claim credit?"

"Your Majesty's trivial matter is a significant duty for your subject." Dong Guifei replied flawlessly, with a faint smile of appeasement on her face.

An Hou observed, then waved her hand, signaling the soul-returning magpie to withdraw.

Korean women are adept at serving others, not only because of their ability to gauge the sovereign's mood like a favorite minister but also because they often love to act, not satisfied with just managing household affairs. Whether competing for affection or outshining rivals, they excel in these areas and are capable of ruthlessness, which makes them more likely to receive favor than other concubines.

An Hou put down the confidential report in her hand and slowly said, "I've heard all about your matters from Xique Pavilion the night before."

"Your Majesty may not truly have heard everything."

"Are you saying Xique Pavilion is hiding things from me?" An Hou's tone was subtle.

Had it been anyone else, they would have eagerly tried to exploit the situation by saying something with ulterior motives, thinking they would benefit themselves.

But Dong Guifei understood this woman; even when confined to the cold palace, she made deductions based on the reactions of female officials and maids, coupled with the fact that she had met An Hou several times.

An Hou often appeared to be sincerely confiding while being harsh and merciless, capricious and unpredictable, using this bit by bit to establish her ruling authority.

Court politics, imperial thoughts, personalities like this, Dong Guifei, exposed from a young age to the bloody power struggles within the Korean aristocracy, had long been accustomed to it.

"It's not that Xique Pavilion hid it from the Empress Dowager."

"Then you hid it from Xique Pavilion?"

Dong Guifei shook her head, "I didn't hide anything from Xique Pavilion; it's just that the focus differs depending on who tells the story."

"Oh?" An Hou showed a pondering expression.

Dong Guifei lowered her eyelids, her shackled hands also drooping, saying nonchalantly, "When I was in a rendezvous with him, I saw a pendant still hanging on his chest."

"...Continue."

An Hou remained impassive.

Yet Dong Guifei appropriately showed a joyful expression, "Yes!"

Then, she recounted the events of the night before thoroughly, though it was identical to Xique Pavilion's report, she subtly emphasized that person's reluctance to part and unprovoked attachment.

"...Before leaving, I gifted him a poem: 'After parting tomorrow morning, our feelings will flow like the jade waves.'"

After contemplating for a moment, An Hou asked, "How did he respond?"

"He had no words in response." Dong Guifei said slowly, "I've heard from many literati that the most profound feelings are often left unspoken."

The implication was clear without saying.

An Hou couldn't help but ponder, all Dong Guifei's words, including this poem, were just like Xique Pavilion's report, but hearing her narrate it in person now, it did evoke a slightly different feeling, possibly… could that person harbor deep affection for this Korean woman?

She couldn't realize that Chen Yi was speechless not because of profound feelings, but because he couldn't compose a poem due to not understanding the rhythm.

Dong Guifei lowered her gaze, a slight hint of emotion appeared in the corners of her eyes, as if stirred by spring feelings.

The first thing Dong Guifei did upon returning wasn't meeting the Empress Dowager but being sent for an interrogation at Xique Pavilion, then the results were conveyed to the Empress Dowager by the Pavilion Master, indicating the latter's distrust for her was obvious, which Dong Guifei was well aware of, so… she had to take some actions.

An Hou regained composure and asked with a smile, "The poem is quite good, did you compose it yourself?"

"I dare not claim credit; it was composed by a famous courtesan from my hometown, Huang Zhenniang." When Dong Guifei spoke of her hometown, there was a hint of pride, which distinguished Korean women from other concubines.

An Hou didn't intend to pry; she would leave it to others to hear more. For now, though she sensed there might be potential for a deeper conversation, she restrained it immediately, remaining as composed as ever.

"You don't need to come to report to me specifically in the future."

A flash of disappointment appeared in Dong Guifei's eyes, and she retreated a few steps.

Subsequently, An Hou raised the confidential report, stating, "Speaking of which, you seem quite interested in the White Lotus Sect. Perhaps you should take a look at this confidential report."

Upon hearing this, Dong Guifei feigned a transformation from worry to joy.

She also knew this appearance would be noted by An Hou.

Since the late Emperor passed away and the Empress Dowager took power, Dong Guifei had been confident she was the one who most understood the sovereign's intentions.

"The White Lotus rebels are wreaking havoc in Hu-Guang, even inciting demonic forces to attack the city, secretly aided by the Southern Border's demonic sect…"

Dong Guifei silently recited, memorizing all this for future use, and as she read to the end, her pupils slightly contracted,

"The Inspector Han Rang was executed by the White Lotus Sect's Holy Mother in the army, with assistance from the world's tenth blind arrow."

The Inspector was a senior Third Rank official overseeing all criminal affairs in Hu-Guang, yet was executed in the army, with the involvement of the world's top ten, Dong Guifei's expression instantly turned serious. No matter how she contemplated, she did not anticipate the White Lotus Sect turmoil would escalate to such a magnitude; Hu-Guang's mountains and waters, as well as Martial Arts and Jianghu, are likely to be drawn into this vortex.

If so, they must urgently withdraw their people from Huangyue Temple in Hu-Guang…

Dong Guifei couldn't help wanting to see more of the confidential reports, but just as the thought arose, An Hou confiscated the confidential report from sight.

She was stunned for a moment, but rapidly reacted, "I am a mere sinner, almost losing my decorum."

An Hou's eyes slightly narrowed.

This Dong Guifei, with no substantial faction or power in the court, is indeed useful; however… she still needs to be knocked and be vigilantly watched.

......

For a sovereign or a mother of a nation to leave the palace without consent was a major national taboo. Moreover, although the Lin Party was annihilated, internal strife and accusations continued; any carelessness could provide an opportunity for someone to fish in troubled waters or seize power through a coup. Such stories are not uncommon in history books. For example, during the Song and Jin dynasties, when King Hailing headed south on a campaign, he poetically declared, "Ten thousand miles of books and chariots united as one, how could Jiangnan be a separate realm?" Such grand spirit and pomp! But the subsequent coup led by Emperor Shizong in his rear led to his swift downfall at the hands of rebelling soldiers.

However, Great Yu was distinct from those barbarian dynasties. The Capital City and Han regions were stable, with little occurrence of major rebellions. Moreover, An Hou's departure was under the cover of taking the young Emperor along and carrying the palace's seal; plus, no one knew of her southward journey. By February, the Capital City would remain orderly, everything would proceed as usual, even if knowing An Hou had left the palace, the court's situation wouldn't necessarily become unstable. Could Prince Fujing seize the throne through a coup?

The Lantern Festival was approaching, and the Capital City was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

On the street, the Family Head of the Cui family, Cui Bu, encountered a colleague and two officials from the Ministry of Rites; after exchanging congratulations, he was invited to drink.

"Are there other guests?"

A colleague's invitation was hard to refuse. Lin Bu also wished to strengthen relations; however, approaching those one shouldn't could lead to issues.

The left and right governors and the Capital Commander in Hu-Guang were both recommended by the Ding'an faction, among them, Capital Commander Su Hongtao had even been personally received by Prince Jing. However, now it has descended into chaos due to the White Lotus Sect, leaving wreckage everywhere. Once the rebellion is quelled, accountability must be sought, and the court may very well seize upon this to suppress and even dismantle the Ding'an faction.

With the Lin Party's protection gone, Cui Bu naturally opted for self-preservation, promptly distancing himself from the Ding'an faction he was once close with.

"Director Du from the Imperial College will come, Director Qiao from the Hanlin Academy…"

Hearing that these people were from the Ding'an faction, Cui Bu exchanged casual pleasantries and shook his head, "Forget it, forget it, there are matters at home that make it difficult to go, besides, as officials we must avoid forming cliques and engaging in corruption, the Lin Party's affair is still vivid in our minds, it's better to do our proper duties."

"Why be so old-fashioned, Doctor Cui?" Seeing him speak like this, one person couldn't help but comment.

Cui Bu's voice was firm, appearing particularly solemn, "Regard me as old-fashioned then, I truly am unwilling to exploit power for personal gain, to step into the filth; yes, I am precisely an upstanding gentleman."

With this, they parted ways unhappily.

Cui Bu bore no resentment; on the contrary, he was very glad to adhere to his duties, promptly drawing a line of separation, and even more grateful for Lin Wanxiao, since the Cui family now bore an extra layer of imperial favor. By the time the rebellion is quelled and accountability for Hu-Guang's affairs arises, it surely won't implicate him.

However, in just a few days, Cui Bu received a notice of reassignment from the Ministry of Personnel to the Ministry of Rites.