VBNWDW - Chapter 150
Chapter 150
"…Her Majesty the Empress need not worry too much. Her Majesty is simply overworked, which has led to exhaustion and a deficiency of vital energy. This old official has already ordered medicine to be brewed and will supplement it with nourishing foods to nurse Her Majesty's body back to health."
"However…"
The white-haired old man stroked his beard and spoke again, "However, none of these are as effective as letting Her Majesty rest more and worry less."
The person seated in the main chair showed no change in expression. She only said, "I understand. I'll have to trouble Lord Zhang to pay more attention to this matter. If you need anything, just let me know."
"It is merely this subject's duty," the man said, cupping his hands in a salute before bowing and taking his leave.
Only after the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance did the smile on Luo Yueqing's lips disappear, her mouth pressing into a thin line.
It was now the fifth year of Zhong Jueyu's reign, known to the world as the fifth year of Xuanwu.
The state of Great Liang, having recovered during its period of recuperation, was like a lion awakening from a deep slumber. From the imperial court down to the common people, everyone began to ambitiously look forward to a stronger future. And as the emperor, Zhong Jueyu became ever more diligent, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty is also just concerned for Great Liang…"
Seeing the oppressive atmosphere, a serving girl beside her cautiously spoke out to offer comfort. But before she could finish, a sharp glance swept over her, and she immediately shut her mouth.
L Luo Yueqing was still displeased. Five years wasn't a long time, but it was enough to bring about some changes in the woman who stood at the pinnacle of power. Her once elegant and otherworldly aura had gradually settled, transforming into a faint, stately dignity. Even with the crimson lotus painted between her brows, it was difficult to diminish this feeling.
Seeing that her gaze was still fixed on her, the serving girl was so frightened she dropped to her knees. "Forgive me, Your Majesty! Forgive me! This servant did not mean it," she said in a panic.
She was practically prostrate on the floor, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
This wasn't to say that the Empress was a harsh person. On the contrary, she was very approachable and rarely got angry, let alone punished others. If one were to line up all the masters of the inner palace from every dynasty, Luo Yueqing would be among the kindest of them.
But her good temper didn't mean Her Majesty the Emperor wouldn't find fault.
Inside and outside the palace, there was an unspoken consensus: annoying the Emperor was manageable. As long as it wasn't a major mistake, one could hurry to the Empress to review their actions and admit their fault. But if one dared to bully the Empress, they might as well go home, wash their neck, and wait for the end.
This wasn't some baseless rumor; it had actually happened.
The Empress once had a clever attendant. When Her Majesty and the Empress had left the palace, they saw that her background was pitiful, so they brought her back, thinking they were forming a good karmic bond.
At first, the person was honest and dutiful, serving her master with all her heart. Over time, she earned the Empress's trust and was given important responsibilities. When she went out, even fourth-rank officials would proactively approach her to chat. It was very impressive.
But for some reason, something went wrong in her head. She began to covet the items in the Empress's private treasury. Using the convenience of her position, she moved things out several times and pawned them. It was only later that someone reported her to Luo Yueqing.
Luo Yueqing was always lenient with old acquaintances, and remembering that this was someone she and Zhong Jueyu had brought back together, she forgave her mistake. She only took back the key to the private treasury and demoted her as punishment.
One would have thought that was the end of it, but unexpectedly, the person grew even bolder and set her sights on the palace itself, selling palace items outside.
In the end, Luo Yueqing confiscated all her money and drove her out of the palace.
It was a punishment, but not a severe one.
But Zhong Jueyu refused to let it go so easily. She issued an edict, bestowing upon the person a fortune of a thousand gold pieces, but forbade anyone in the capital from selling anything to her.
And so, this person, clutching gold and jewels, starved to death in the middle of a bustling night market.
Perhaps worried that Luo Yueqing would be saddened to hear it, Her Majesty deliberately concealed the matter, but everyone else remembered it firmly.
The price for angering Luo Yueqing was far more severe than stepping on Her Majesty's head.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, forgive me!"
Luo Yueqing waved her sleeve, her expression a little helpless as she said, "Why are you so frightened?"
Her tone shifted, and she added, "Go fetch the medicinal soup the Imperial Hospital has prepared for Her Majesty. We're going to see her."
The slightly improved tone sank again. Everyone lowered their heads, silently telling Her Majesty they were powerless to help. This time, the Empress was truly angry.
It was still the height of summer. The capital, having not seen rain for several days, was slightly dry. The moss that once clung to the cracks in the ground had vanished, and the air was very stuffy and hot.
The phoenix palanquin came to a stop. Footsteps sounded, and then the wooden doors were pushed open.
The conversation inside came to an abrupt halt.
Meng Yunshan caught sight of her from the corner of his eye and immediately sensed something was amiss. He instantly bowed and said, "This subject will go now and convey Her Majesty's decree to them."
Zhong Jueyu nodded slightly, her hand resting casually on the desk tightening unconsciously, revealing a trace of nervousness.
Meng Yunshan turned and left without a hint of hesitation.
Zhong Jueyu, meanwhile, looked at Luo Yueqing. After forcing a smile, she said, "What brings you here?"
The place where they were was Qianqing Palace, where Zhong Jueyu usually received her ministers and handled state affairs.
Because there had been no morning court today, she was dressed in a more casual white, cross-collared robe, embroidered with a golden thread dragon playing with a pearl. Her hair was tied up with a jade coronet, her complexion was slightly pale, and her phoenix eyes held a warm smile, reflecting the other's figure.
Luo Yueqing ignored her. She turned and took the medicinal soup from the person beside her. The brown liquid in the small white porcelain bowl sloshed, reaching the rim before falling back.
"All of you may leave," she said.
The servants all acknowledged the order, then bowed and withdrew. With a click, the door closed once more.
Seeing this, Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but feel anxious. Her clenched fist loosened and tightened again, a thin layer of sweat forming for no reason.
As the footsteps drew closer, Zhong Jueyu couldn't help but explain, "It's not that I don't want to rest. You know the current situation. Ruan He and Li Shigui are leading the troops to attack Chu. This is the most critical moment."
Mentioning this, her brows furrowed again. She said worriedly, "I've dealt with that old general sent by Chu several times before. The man is cunning, and his military tactics are unpredictable and treacherous. He's an extremely difficult fellow to deal with."
When it came to official business, she subconsciously reverted to using the imperial 'I'.
"Although the two of them have experienced many battles, they have never led an army alone. Now that they are commanders…"
Luo Yueqing walked over as she listened and placed the small bowl on the desk.
Zhong Jueyu then brought up domestic affairs, saying, "Yanzhou is also restless. It was a city we seized from Chu, after all. Even now, there are people clamoring that they are citizens of Chu. The officials sent there have submitted several memorials, all saying they can't control these people."
Her brows were knitted into a deep frown, a vertical crease forming between them. It only eased when Luo Yueqing stood beside her. She raised a hand to wrap around the other's waist, turned slightly, and buried her face in the other's abdomen, sighing, "I don't want this either."
"But with troubles both at home and abroad, I really can't rest easy."
Luo Yueqing lowered her eyes, her thick lashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyelids, making her expression unreadable. One could only see her raise a hand to stroke Zhong Jueyu's earlobe, then gently rub it with the pad of her finger.
Her other hand picked up an open memorial and examined it closely.
Zhong Jueyu didn't stop her, taking the opportunity to rest for a moment.
The only sound in the vast room was the turning of pages. Sunlight illuminated the nearby bookshelf, making it gleam.
After reading through three memorials in a row, Luo Yueqing said in an unchanged tone, "The imperial physician said you need to rest."
"I know," Zhong Jueyu straightened up abruptly and added, "But…"
But Luo Yueqing simply grabbed the end of her hair. A gentle tug was enough to cut off all her nonsense.
Luo Yueqing immediately retorted, "But what?"
"Ruan He and Shigui aren't incompetent. Before, when you were busy with matters in the capital, didn't you send them out first? Nothing went wrong then."
Zhong Jueyu disagreed. "That was only for a month."
"What about a month? Those two aren't fools. They've followed you for years. Don't tell me you were secretive and taught them nothing?"
"I didn't…" Zhong Jueyu's confidence faltered.
If it were anyone else, who would dare speak to the emperor like this? Under all of heaven, there was only Luo Yueqing. And she had even emphasized her tone.
"Then that's that. 'Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you distrust.' It's not like you don't understand this principle. Ruan He and Shigui have been leading the army for half a year. Although they've had minor defeats, their victories have been far more numerous. Yet you don't trust them, having messengers sent daily, constantly monitoring the front lines."
"What do you think that makes them feel? Commanders-in-chief, yet their hands are tied," Luo Yueqing slammed the memorial down on the desk.
She continued, "If the official governing Yanzhou is incompetent, then she should be replaced. Someone else should be sent, not listen to her string of excuses. It's normal for the people to miss their old country, but it's been five years, and things are still this chaotic. Someone must be instigating it."
"If she can't see it, can't you?"
"I am…" Zhong Jueyu tried to speak.
But Luo Yueqing said directly, "I know you cherish talent. This person was the female tanhua selected from the first imperial examination you opened to both men and women. But if she's not up to the task, she's not up to the task."
"Your original intention was to send her to a local post to temper her skills. Now she's become your burden instead, requiring you to devise strategies for her and painstakingly teach her every day. Once would be fine, but if it's like this every time, won't it dishearten the other officials?"
Luo Yueqing's tone shifted again as she said ambiguously, "A few days ago, I heard people talking. They said Her Majesty pays special attention to the tanhua official, as if she intends to make her an imperial consort…"
The drawn-out tone and the words within sent a chill down one's spine.
Zhong Jueyu immediately snapped, "I have never had such thoughts! Who is spouting such nonsense!"
She was furious. The aura around her changed, like a great mountain about to crush down on someone. Her eyes grew cold.
But Luo Yueqing was not afraid of her. She picked up the small bowl, scooped up some medicinal soup with a white porcelain spoon, and brought it to Zhong Jueyu's lips.
Subconscious habit was faster than conscious reaction.
Zhong Jueyu had wanted to question her further, but she opened her mouth directly. The bitter medicine spread across her tongue, making her even more displeased.
She said again, "Who was it, mmph."
Another spoonful of medicine.
"Who, mmph."
This spoonful was larger than the previous two.
Zhong Jueyu held the medicine in her mouth and finally seemed to understand. She blinked blankly, not daring to say anything more.
Spoonful after spoonful. The soup had been brought from the Imperial Hospital, and its temperature was just right. It didn't even need to be blown on; it was delivered straight to her mouth.
Zhong Jueyu accepted it with a bitter expression. Even though she wasn't averse to taking medicine, she didn't like bitter things. In the past, she would just pick up the bowl and drink it down in a few gulps. But now, it was one small sip at a time, infinitely prolonging the process.
She tugged on Luo Yueqing's sleeve, shaking it slightly, as if begging for mercy.
Only then did Luo Yueqing speak again, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "What's wrong with Us? Does We think the medicine this consort feeds Us tastes bad?"
Such strange words. Especially with the word "We" deliberately emphasized, it sounded exceptionally sarcastic.
Zhong Jueyu thought back for a moment and realized she had made another mistake. She said with a wry smile, "I was wrong, I was wrong. It was a slip of the tongue earlier, mmph."
Another spoonful of medicine entered her mouth.
Luo Yueqing said again, "I'm not trying to control you. But you insist on shouldering every burden yourself. It's as if all the civil and military officials have become useless. Isn't that getting your priorities backward?"
Zhong Jueyu nodded hastily. "You're right."
She thoroughly knew she was wrong.
The last spoonful of medicine went down her throat. Zhong Jueyu quickly pulled the other woman into her arms, having her sit sideways on her lap.
"I know I was wrong," she lowered her head, burying it in the crook of Luo Yueqing's neck. She repeated, her voice low and soft, with a hint of coquettishness.
"I won't make the same mistake again. My magnanimous Empress, please forgive me."
Luo Yueqing huffed and raised a hand to hook around her neck.
Zhong Jueyu knew this meant she was forgiven, so she nuzzled her head against the other's neck and said, a little aggrieved, "This medicine is very bitter."
Her mouth was still full of bitterness.
"Serves you right," Luo Yueqing didn't indulge her. She lifted the other's head by the nape of her neck and tilted her head to bite the side of her neck.
Zhong Jueyu hissed, then suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Don't bite!"
The other's anger hadn't fully dissipated. Hearing this, not only did she not let go, she bit down even harder.
How could the emperor not understand? She quickly endured the pain and explained, "You bit me right here last night and left a mark."
The pressure increased again, the indentations of teeth now visible, as if to say, So I bit you last night, does that mean I can't bite you today?
"I put some powder on it this morning to cover it up. Don't get it in your stomach," Zhong Jueyu finally finished.
Only then did Luo Yueqing stop. This time, she had truly wronged the other. But she didn't apologize. Instead, she covered the other's mouth in a fit of pique and said huffily, "If I eat it, I eat it! And you'll eat it too!"
Who would have thought? The Emperor and Empress, who stood at the apex of Great Liang, were fooling around like children in Qianqing Palace.
What could Zhong Jueyu do? She could only obey the Empress and "eat" as well.
Her tongue hooked around soft flesh, instantly occupying the entire space. The domineering one ended up on the losing end. She had forgotten that Zhong Jueyu had just taken medicine. Not only did her punishment fail, she ended up sharing the bitterness with the other.
Luo Yueqing immediately wanted to retreat but was held tightly by the other person, who turned from defense to offense.
The tormenting bitterness finally faded, gradually replaced by a faint scent of sandalwood.
But how could Luo Yueqing be one to suffer a loss?
She immediately grabbed the other's collar, intending to get her due elsewhere.
Breathing grew ragged. A strand of hair, once bound by the jade coronet, came loose. The dragon robe was pulled askew, leaving only half a dragon visible. A hand slipped into the opened collar, pushing the robe out at a strange angle.
"This… we're still in Qianqing Palace," Zhong Jueyu tried to pull back, creating some distance to stop her.
But the other person was relentless. Her knuckles bent, leaving faint marks.
Having been married for so long, the two had not grown tired of each other. Instead, they drew closer with even less restraint. Reason tried to pull them back, but they only sank deeper into desire.
The sash was pulled open, and a hand slid downward.
Zhong Jueyu no longer resisted, but then she heard the sudden sound of footsteps outside. Both of them tensed up abruptly.
Creeak.
Without hearing any announcement, the wooden door was pushed open forcefully.
As if possessed, Luo Yueqing ducked under the desk.
While Zhong Jueyu hastily straightened her clothes.
"Mother Emperor!" Looking over, a little girl in an apricot-yellow robe came running over on her short legs, her young face filled with anxiety.
As soon as she reached the desk, she began to look around, panting as she called out again, "Mother Emperor!"
Zhong Jueyu composed her expression. Her hand, hanging below the desk, was still clutching her sash. She suppressed her breathing and said with feigned composure, "What are you doing here?"
The newcomer was the daughter born to the princess after a ten-month pregnancy. She had since been adopted under Luo Yueqing's name and named the Crown Princess.
"I just… I just missed Mother Emperor," the child stammered, lying. Her eyes kept darting around, as if looking for someone.
How could Zhong Jueyu not understand? Someone must have been worried they were fighting and sent a little soldier to put out the fire.
Now the fire was out, but it wasn't the kind of fire others had imagined.
Zhong Jueyu took a deep breath, suppressing her frustration. Her voice was heavy as she said, "Shouldn't you be in class right now?"
The child was anxious and concerned and had rushed over in a hurry, her face flushed. How could she have thought of that? She could only let her eyes wander and say, "I… I…"
For a long while, she couldn't get the words out.
But Zhong Jueyu didn't blame her. Her attention was drawn elsewhere, to what was happening under the desk.
How could the audacious one possibly be interrupted? She had already come up with another idea.
The hand clutching the sash tightened continuously, wrinkling the fabric.
The Crown Princess rambled on, saying one thing and then another, thinking she had successfully deflected. But she saw the other's expression become extremely strange.
"Mother Emperor?" she asked, confused.
The desk was placed on a three-tiered platform, with a bookshelf on one side and a window on the other. Behind it was a wall hung with calligraphic words of diligence. Only one side faced outward, and the desk had a long cloth draped down from it, concealing one's legs. The original purpose was to prevent ministers from seeing what was behind it and discerning the emperor's mood. Now, it served Luo Yueqing's convenience.
Hot breath fell where it shouldn't, stirring up an intense, ticklish sensation. At this moment, it didn't take much to create enormous waves.
The person, intending to tease, bit down lightly.
Zhong Jueyu sucked in a sharp breath. Her sash fell to the floor. Her hand covered the back of the other's head, originally intending to stop her, but it seemed to push her further in.
"Mother Emperor?" The child grew more and more confused.
Zhong Jueyu could only manage to say, "Your lessons are important. You can't skip class, no matter what."
Her thoughts were being stripped away, and her words became simple, barely able to convey her meaning.
The little one quickly agreed, then asked, "Mother Emperor, where is my Mother Empress?"
She had rushed over to mediate their fight, but why was there only one person?
Just as Zhong Jueyu was about to answer, she was bitten. The person deliberately increased the pressure, scraping with the tips of her teeth and tracing back and forth along the inner side with her fingertips.
Zhong Jueyu let out a muffled grunt and quickly raised a fist to her mouth, covering a few coughs.
"Are you alright, Mother Emperor?" The child, oblivious to all this, was extremely worried.
"I'm fine. She… she went to find something for me." The lie was as clumsy as the one the child had told.
But the child was easy to fool. She nodded and said, "I see."
Zhong Jueyu had just breathed a sigh of relief when she tensed up again.
A wet patch suddenly appeared on the soft cushion of the chair.
Zhong Jueyu wanted to stop her, but her hand was held, and she suddenly bent over.
"Mother Emperor, what's wrong?"
Her appearance was so abnormal that even the child could tell something was wrong.
"Are you feeling unwell, Mother Emperor? Let your child go call the imperial physician…"
"No need," Zhong Jueyu raised her eyes and immediately refused.
"But…" the child wanted to say more.
But Zhong Jueyu said directly, "I am fine. Go back to your lessons. Don't skip class again."
She thought of something else and said sternly, "Next time, have someone announce you. You are not to rush in like this again. As the Crown Princess, you must be mindful of your decorum."
The child could only nod reluctantly.
The cushion grew wetter, and the hand being held flushed crimson.
Zhong Jueyu wanted to lift her leg but quickly stopped herself, waiting until she saw the child disappear out the door.
Click!
The wooden door closed, and Zhong Jueyu immediately grabbed the other's hand to pull her up.
The person didn't resist. The next second, she stood up, then casually swept the memorials from the desk to the floor. With a clattering sound, Zhong Jueyu was lifted up and placed on the desk.
The person who had just been discussing state affairs with her ministers was now being held on the desk. Her legs were forcefully lifted at the knees and placed on the other's waist, as Luo Yueqing tilted her head up and kissed her.
Her words of protest were once again cut off.
Zhong Jueyu hadn't managed to say a complete sentence all day. She was cut off every time, and now she couldn't even get a few words out, only broken breaths.
Fingertips were enveloped in warmth. The basin of ice in the corner still gave off wisps of cool air, driving away the oppressive heat.
Zhong Jueyu gripped the other's collar, her consciousness gradually fading.
Water dripped onto the floor, forming a puddle that didn't dry for a long time.
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