latelenovela Chapter 103 Emperor Chai Zhen Arrives at Linkang Prefecture
Chapter 103 Emperor Chai Zhen Arrives at Linkang Prefecture
The warm sun shone brightly over Linkang Prefecture, and a gentle breeze blew through, stirring up clouds of fragrant dust. The city gates were crowded with people, and the common people knelt on both sides of the road early in the morning, eagerly awaiting the emperor's arrival.
Today, Cen Jiexiao wore a light purple robe with a skirt and skirt. Her long black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin. Her plain face showed no emotion. She stood at the city gate with General Zhou, Prefect Han, and other officials, waiting to welcome Emperor Chai Zhen.
"Dean Cen looks so young, but I didn't expect that he is actually the dean of Zhaoyin Academy. He is really a promising young man!" Someone in the crowd whispered.
"Shh, keep your voice down! She is not an ordinary person. I heard that even the current emperor favors her!" another person said in a low voice.
When the people around heard this, they all cast curious glances, wanting to find out what was going on. Cen Jiexiao had long been accustomed to these discussions and turned a deaf ear to them, only lowering her eyes slightly, as if thinking about something.
Soon, the sound of majestic drums and music came from afar, approaching with a deafening roar. The crowd immediately became agitated, and everyone stretched their necks to catch a glimpse of the emperor.
Two rows of royal guards in golden armor first came into view. They stood tall and straight, marching in unison, like a solid wall of steel, guarding the imperial chariot behind them as it slowly approached.
The imperial chariot was magnificent and was pulled by eight tall horses with pure white fur. The golden satin on the top of the chariot shone brightly in the sun, and exquisite tassels and gems were hung around it, showing the royal majesty.
Shai Zhen, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown with twelve tassels, sat upright on the imperial chariot. His face was handsome, his eyes piercing, and he exuded a sense of authority without even anger. As his gaze swept over the crowd, everyone felt an invisible pressure and lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at the emperor.
Only Cen Jiexiao still kept her eyes slightly lowered, with a calm expression, as if this emperor who was the focus of everyone's attention was just an ordinary person in her eyes.
Chai Zhen's imperial sedan slowly stopped in front of the city gate. He got off the sedan, glanced at the crowd, and finally fell on Cen Jiexiao.
When their eyes met, Cen Jiexiao clearly felt that there was a bit more scrutiny and inquiry in Chai Zhen's eyes. That look seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts, making her feel a little inexplicably uneasy.
"Your servant, Cen Jiexiao, pays homage to His Majesty. Long live the Emperor!" Cen Jiexiao bowed slightly, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.
Chai Zhen looked at the cold woman in front of him, a playful smile appearing on the corner of his mouth.
"President Cen, there's no need to be so polite. I've come to the Linkang Mansion today. I'm sure I'll be disturbing President Cen for a few days."
Chai Zhen's voice was gentle and magnetic, yet carried an unquestionable majesty.
Cen Jiexiao raised her head and met Chai Zhen's deep, unfathomable eyes, her heart aroused. She knew that everything between her and this emperor had just begun...
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my honor to serve you." Cen Jiexiao calmly avoided Chai Zhen's gaze and answered respectfully.
Chai Zhen felt a strange irritation as he watched Cen Jiexiao, who seemed to be holding her back from him. As the ruler of a nation, he could have any woman he wanted, yet he had developed a strong interest in the aloof Cen Jiexiao.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble Dean Cen." Chai Zhen suppressed his unhappiness and turned to look at Han Fuyin beside him. He said in a gentle tone, "My dear Han, it's been many years since we last met. Are you still in good health?"
Han Fuyin was Chai Zhen's teacher. When Chai Zhen was still a prince, he studied with Han Zhengxian for several years, and the master and apprentice had a deep relationship.
"Thanks to Your Majesty, I am doing fine," Han Fuyin quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty is exhausted from the journey. It would be best if you could rest in the temporary palace for a while. Tomorrow, I will accompany Your Majesty to the site of the grand sacrificial ceremony."
"Okay." Chai Zhen nodded and walked towards the Linkang Prefecture Palace surrounded by the crowd.
Cen Jiexiao stood there, watching Chai Zhen go away, until his figure disappeared from her sight, then she slowly exhaled.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room through the carved window lattice, illuminating Cen Jiexiao's slightly tired face. She rubbed her temples. Chai Zhen's inquiring gaze the previous night had left her tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
"Dean, are you awake? Dean Chen and Sister Yu Lan have been waiting in the front hall for a long time." Xiaozhi walked in with a copper basin for washing and said softly.
"I got it. I'll be right there." Cen Jiexiao took the handkerchief from Xiaozhi's hand and wiped her face carefully. After all, she was going to meet the emperor later.
After breakfast, Cen Jiexiao, Chen Zigui and Yu Lan, led by the guards, went to the palace to pay a visit to Chai Zhen.
"I, Cen Jiexiao, pay my respects to His Majesty."
"Student Chen Zigui pays homage to His Majesty."
"I, Yu Lan, the humble servant, pay my respects to His Majesty."
The three of them saluted in unison, their voices echoing in the empty hall.
"Everyone, get up." Chai Zhen's lazy voice came from the high dragon throne, with a hint of unquestionable majesty.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Cen Jiexiao raised her head curiously, furtively examining the emperor before her. Chai Zhen wore a dark dragon robe and a golden crown, radiating even greater majesty and authority. He reclined on the dragon throne, one hand supporting his head, the other absentmindedly toying with a jade pendant, his eyes slightly downcast, his thoughts unseen.
"I heard that Dean Cen has been busy these days for the East China Sea sacrificial ceremony of our Great Zhou. As a woman, Dean Cen is well-deserved, a heroine." Chai Zhen put down the jade pendant in his hand, raised his eyes and looked at Cen Jiexiao with a playful smile on his face.
Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled, she didn't know whether Chai Zhen was trying to win her over or if he had some other intention.
"Your Majesty, I am merely offering my humble assistance to the Great Zhou and Your Majesty," Cen Jiexiao lowered her eyes slightly, her tone neither humble nor arrogant. "As a citizen of the Great Zhou, I owe it to myself to serve the Great Zhou, devoting myself to it until my death." She paused, a subtle cunning in her tone. "To add some color to the grand ceremony, I also hope that our Great Zhou will become unrivaled in the world."
Chai Zhen's smile deepened. He asked with interest, "Oh? Dean Cen is going to such great lengths. How exactly do you want the Great Zhou to become the most powerful law in the world?"
Cen Jiexiao's heart trembled. Was Chai Zhen testing her? She raised her head, met Chai Zhen's gaze, and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, the Great Zhou is vast, rich in resources, its people are hardworking, and there are countless talented people. As long as Your Majesty works hard to govern, our Great Zhou will prosper. All I have done is to contribute my humble part to Your Majesty and our Great Zhou on my own small piece of land."
"I'm doing my bit," Chai Zhen said with a smile. "Dean Cen, I completely understand your loyalty to your country, but please don't talk about life and death. In the future, Dean Cen, you can come to Qifeng more often and promote your women's education."
"Your Majesty is right. I just said something without thinking. Please don't blame me. Regarding the education of women, I feel that the women of the Great Zhou are first and foremost the citizens of the Great Zhou. Since they are part of the Great Zhou, they have the obligation to contribute to the prosperity of the Great Zhou and the right to enjoy peace and prosperity in the Great Zhou." Cen Jiexiao bowed slightly.
She paused and continued, "So, if these women never leave their homes, how many of them possess unique skills and talents will be buried in this vast sea of people. What a pity that would be!"
"On the other hand, if these talents were discovered and trained, they would have the opportunity to share the emperor's worries and serve the Great Zhou. Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Cen Jiexiao said in a firm tone.