Developments Inside The Imperial Palace - 25.3

The next day, Jin Meng Yao was making his way to the main palace hall to once again attend morning court albeit still a bit absent-minded since he was still thinking about his friend, Fan Xian Liang.

He knew that a lot of things have been happening within the Lei Palace and the Fan estate ever since his master; Fan Hui Zhong returned to the capital.

In fact, Jin Meng Yao has been planning on paying his master a visit since he still hasn't gotten the chance to see him ever since he came back and this caused him to feel slightly frustrated with himself especially when he heard that the one time he decide to sneak out and ditch attending morning court the other day was the very same day that Fan Hui Zhong decided to surprise everyone to attend morning court and even let everyone know what his plans were!

This was actually the main reason he was attending today. It was because he was hoping that Fan Hui Zhong will once gain act out of his usual norm and attend court once more!

As he neared the vicinity of the palace's main hall, a eunuch could be seen hurrying towards him as if worried that Jin Meng Yao would disappear right in front of him.

Despite the eunuch's hurried actions drawing a relatively small amount of attention, no one really paid heed to it until the eunuch blocked the crown prince's path, startling him in the process.

"Please excuse this lowly one, Your Highness; This servant comes on behalf of Her Highness; the Empress to request for Your Highness' presence."

Surprise, Jin Meng Yao couldn't help but open his mouth and ask, "Mother? Did she tell you what she needs This Prince for?"

"No, Your Highness. This lowly one was just tasked to find you and deliver Her Majesty's message and to bring Your Highness to visit her as soon as possible."

Seeing the urgency in the eunuch's face while being clearly reflected in his voice as well, Jin Meng Yao couldn't help but let out a resigned sigh as a helpless smile formed on his face as he nodded and spoke.

"Very well then, lead the way."

A bit puzzled as to why he was summoned, countless thoughts ran through Jin Meng Yao's mind and while he kept mum about it, his expression still showed an inkling of it and when they entered the empress' he heard his mother's tinkling laughter sound from inside and just as he was about to call out, a deep, enigmatic voice could be heard lowly speaking before the empress laugh once again sounded.

Hearing that voice, it certainly didn't trigger any memory or sense of familiarity from him which in turn made him feel small seed of doubt.

Just who was there inside that would make his mother indiscriminately laugh like that?

For crying out loud, he was her son yet the only time Jin Meng Yao heard his mother laugh like that is when they were in a private settinh with only close friends, trusted confidantes and family around!

No longer could Jin Meng Yao hold his curiousity back so instea of letting the eunuch announce his presence, Jin Meng Yao himself strode forward and pushed the door open to let the people inside know of his arrival.

Hearing the door swing open unannounced, everyone's gazes were instantly drawn to it and to Jin Meng Yao who just entered, surprise clearly reflected on his handsome face.

Seated inside was not only his mother, the empress; Wu Li Hua but also his younger sister; Mei Rong who was giggling happily.

Despite of his initial bafflement, Jin Meng Yao's attention was wholly focused on the young man dressed in immaculate clothes with an exquisite half-mask partially covering his face since this man was the only one who was unfamiliar to him.

Noticing this, Wu Li Hua covered her smile before she gently coughed to draw her son's attention.

"I'm glad you're here, Yao'er! Come, come and take a seat..." Wu Li Hua called out gently as she motioned the stunned crown prince to come over.

Nodding his head, Jin Meng Yao made his way towards his younger sister who beamed at him as she motioned the seat beside her and as soon as he sat down, Meng Yao shot a questioning look at his mother as he said, "Care to introduce me, Mother Empress?"

Laughing at her son's obvious discomfort and curiosity, Wu Li Hua then opened her mouth and proceeded to explain.

"Ahh yes, yes of course! Meng Yao, meet your cousin, Jun Qiao."

Cousin?!

Watching Jin Meng Yao's face morph into an expression of surprised shock as he stared at Wu Jun Qiao.

"You're my cousin?"

"En." Wu Jun Qiao answered back with a small amused smile.

He was the cousin their mother just recently told them about?!

Looking at him with a dumbfounded expression, Jin Meng Yao only had one word to say and that was, "Wow..."

Hearing that, Jin Mei Rong burst out into a fits of laughter at seeing her ever-talkative brother so speechless and at a loss on what to say.

Before long, the originally awkward atmosphere turned harmonious and even Wu Jun Qiao let out a couple of amused chuckles.

Feeling a tad bit embarassed, Jin Meng Yao's face blushed slightly making him look endearing before he shook it off and let out a laugh himself.

"Alright, alright! Enough already! I was just taken by surprise...I mean, I wasn't expecting to meet our cousin just now and was shocked to see his astonishingly good looks!" Jin Meng Yao jokingly whined as he shot a playful grin towards Wu Jun Qiao who's turn came to look dumbfounded at Meng Yao, prompting another round of laughter.

After a few more exchanges of light banter between them, the three cousins who only just met were getting along swimmingly and watching the sight of the three youngsters getting along so well brought a smile to the empress's face.

As time passed, Jin Meng Yao then remembered something and with a regretful tone, he said, "As much as I'd like to stay, I need to take my leave first... I still need to catch up with Xian and maybe even Master Zhong!"

"Oh, alright then Yao'er... you may go but do bring your cousin with you! Jun'er told me that he just moved into the old Fan Estate located beside your uncle's estate and he wants to express his thanks since it was your master, Hui Zhong who helped your uncle acquire it for him." Wu Li Hua said as she smiled at the two young men.

Giving his cousin Jin Meng Yao an  apologetic look, Wu Jun Qiao said, "Cousin, if it's inconvenient for you, then there's no need to bring me along, I would understand since I have heard of the recent happenings..."

Hearing and seeing Wu Jun Qiao's sincerity, the initial misgivings Jin Meng Yao had lightened considerably and after a moment's thought he opened his mouth and said, "Thinking about it, it should be okay... It's also q good time to introduce you to a brother of mine! Don't worry cousin, leave it to me!"

Meanwhile, in another part of the imperial palace, an old man could be seen speaking quietly to a resplendent young lady.

"The empress had intercepted the crown prince on his way to court and had him go to her palace hall. Apparently, aside from the crown prince, the princess was also in attendance along with another young man..."

"And? Where you able to get any information as to why and who that young man was?" the young lady asked impatiently.

"Unfortunately not, Your Highness..."

Looking displeased, the young lady shot a harsh look at the old man before finally shaking her head in annoyance as she opened her mouth to say, "Keep an eye on them, This One wants to know of any more new developments... Make sure our plans aren't affected!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"