It was a familiar yet handsome face.
Song Langsheng turned back to look at me, seeing my expression of surprise, and asked: “Who is he?”
I was stunned for a long while, then gently stepped down from the bed and walked closer. Song Langsheng asked in a deep voice: “Could it be…”
I nodded, then shook my head again: “It’s not Imperial Elder Brother, but strictly speaking, it could also be considered… If I remember correctly, this should be my eldest cousin, the son of Father Emperor’s eldest brother…”
Song Langsheng frowned and thought for a moment, asking: “The Prince Yu who staged a military rebellion several years ago?”
I nodded: “After Prince Yu was executed, Father Emperor, mindful of family ties, didn’t exterminate his entire family but only sentenced them to exile. Later I heard that my eldest cousin died of illness on the way to his punishment, which made Imperial Elder Brother quite sad for a while…”
“Your Imperial Elder Brother was sad?”
I said: “They were similar in age and shared common interests. They were students taught by the same Grand Tutor and had quite a deep friendship…”
Song Langsheng raised an eyebrow: “This explains how he could know you so well. It seems he faked his death and waited for an opportunity for revenge… or perhaps wanted to follow his father’s path and seize the throne…”
I felt somewhat listless: “Perhaps…”
Song Langsheng ruffled my hair: “Since it’s not your Imperial Elder Brother, you should be happy. Why the long face?”
I withdrew my gaze and said: “I just feel that life is unpredictable. Some people exhaust every means but still can’t get what they want, while others long day and night to exit the stage but are forced to carry on…”
“Are you talking about Feng Li or yourself?”
I sighed noncommittally, then suddenly remembered what Song Langsheng had said earlier and hurriedly asked: “When you said Father Emperor had awakened, is that true or false?”
Song Langsheng smiled gently: “Naturally it’s true. Even the imperial physicians found it incredible. Though His Majesty still can’t walk very steadily, his mind is completely clear. After I received your letter, I contacted Chief Minister Zhao and originally intended to risk entering the palace to confirm the Crown Prince’s safety. Who knew that as soon as I reached the palace gates, His Majesty summoned me to the hall, and the Crown Prince was also in the Golden Hall. His Majesty explained my true purpose of infiltrating Nie Guang’s side and his authorization in front of the Inner Cabinet and several ministers, having me recount everything. By then I had already discovered Feng Li’s heaven worship plot and only hoped His Majesty could send troops to suppress the rebels. Who could have expected His Majesty to suddenly bestow upon me the seal and appoint me as Central Military Commander? With the situation urgent, I couldn’t refuse, so I rushed here in great haste, only to find you had been trapped by Feng Li…”
I shook my head and smiled slightly, then sighed desolately: “Father Emperor’s move – how could this be someone who just awakened? I’m afraid he’s been pretending to be ill for quite some time. Most of the commanders of the Five Army Camps are founding generals – these people may not necessarily submit to the Crown Prince. But you, receiving orders in crisis and achieving great merit, naturally no one would dare question your position as Central Military Commander in the future. If not for this, when in all dynasties have we seen civil officials commanding armies? Father Emperor is helping the Crown Prince consolidate power step by step. He wants to change the blood of the court, so he chose this timing. When Nie Guang raises his rebellion, Father Emperor will certainly appoint you as the main general. At that time, there will be far more troublesome matters than now…”
Song Langsheng slowly embraced me, and after a long while said: “Don’t think too much…”
I shook my head, feeling somewhat disheartened: “How can going to battle be so easy? It’s not just about having high martial skills and good strategies to preserve one’s life… Even if you ultimately defeat Nie Guang, when you return victorious to court, you’ll have to face so many power struggles and scheming…”
He released his embrace, bent down, and smiled: “As long as you’re by my side and I’m by yours, what do all these things matter?” This smile was so beautiful that my heart fluttered. I bit my lip and said: “I want a kiss.”
Song Langsheng was stunned for a moment, then smiled. His pale complexion instantly regained some color as he leaned down to gently peck my lips, making my heart itch. “I want another kiss.”
His eyes sparkled as he looked at me: “A’Tang, do you want to return to the palace right now?”
I touched my swollen eyelids and thought for a long time before saying: “Father Emperor has just awakened. If he saw me in this state, who knows how angry he’d get… If you need to return to report, go ahead. This place is quite close to Yulong Manor anyway. I’ll go bathe and change clothes, and return to the palace after recovering some spirit. What do you think…”
Song Langsheng kissed my forehead and nodded: “No good.”
Me: “…”
He wrapped the quilt around me more tightly and lifted me in his arms: “I said, from now on, you must stay with me.”
—
**Second Update**
—
So, after saying those mushy but very pleasing words, Song Langsheng resolutely accompanied me to Yulong Manor. I don’t know how he dismissed those Central Army Camp soldiers, but when he carried me out of the prince’s mansion, aside from the officers securing the scene and Xiu Zhu by the carriage, the outside was completely empty. Song Langsheng told me to rest assured – our troops were everywhere now, so even walking would be safe.
“So Xiu Zhu was actually sent by Father Emperor to Nie Guang’s side?!” After hearing their description, I was so excited I nearly jumped out of the carriage. “Why didn’t he say so earlier?”
Xiu Zhu said: “Before I was certain that His Lordship the Prince Consort was truly loyal to His Majesty, I naturally couldn’t reveal my identity.”
I was dumbfounded: “So if Song Langsheng had betrayed, you would have exposed his true identity, preventing him from continuing to infiltrate Nie Guang’s side? Wow, so not a single thing can happen outside Father Emperor’s calculations?”
Song Langsheng chuckled: “His Majesty was just ensuring absolute certainty.”
“So when Xiu Zhu was being sarcastic with me in the snow, emphasizing that you were Marquis Xia Yang’s advisor,” I kicked Xiu Zhu who was driving outside, “was he worried I’d discover your identity and interfere with important matters?”
Xiu Zhu outside the carriage coughed at the right moment: “Please forgive me, Princess. I had no choice.”
I rolled my eyes: “What about Mao Lin?”
Song Langsheng said: “He was originally Feng Li’s man, but eventually abandoned the dark for the light.”
I shook my head repeatedly: “I don’t want to hear anymore. Now when I see anyone, I want to pinch them first to see if they’re real.”
Song Langsheng playfully pinched my cheeks: “Isn’t it because you were careless and ran around everywhere? If you had listened to me even once and stayed put obediently, I wouldn’t have had to clean up the mess.”
I slapped his hand away: “I’ve decided – when I return to the palace, I’ll have Father Emperor issue an edict banning the evil art of disguise among the people. Otherwise, if today we killed a ‘pineapple,’ tomorrow there might come a ‘pear’ – it’s impossible to guard against.”
Before our conversation finished, Yulong Manor appeared before us. Song Langsheng carefully carried me down from the carriage and had Xiu Zhu report to Father Emperor first, saying he was slightly injured from fighting bandits and needed bandaging, so he would return to the palace later.
Xiu Zhu nodded understandingly and disappeared before our eyes like the wind on horseback.
I hugged Song Langsheng’s neck and asked: “Yulong Manor has tight security. You’ve safely brought me here – what else are you worried about?”
He carried me while walking toward the manor, treating the kneeling guards and servants as if they were invisible. After passing through the corridor into the bedchamber, he carefully placed me on the bed and asked: “Does the Princess want to bathe in the room, or go to Jinhua Pavilion to soak in the hot springs?”
I had originally just wanted a simple wash, but suddenly the scene of Nie Ran on top of me last night flashed through my mind. My heart filled with sorrow and I couldn’t help shivering: “…I’d better soak properly and wash away the impurities…”
“Good. You change your clothes first, I’ll go make arrangements.”
I rolled around on the bed and emerged from the quilt wrapping, casually putting on a brocade robe while tilting my head to look at the Prince Consort’s back: What medicine had he taken today? He agreed to everything I said – could this be what they call absence makes the heart grow fonder?
Yulong Manor’s Jinhua Pavilion was based on a famous legend – basically about an emperor who built a palace at a hot spring site, with grand construction projects bringing spring water indoors. Every winter he would bring his beloved concubine to feast and bathe there. Simply put, he found court life boring and found a place for romance, which became legendary through the ages.
Father Emperor, following that emperor’s example, also created such a hot spring pool. However, he was truly busy with state affairs, and later his health declined, so he had no such leisure for romantic water play. This pool became a place where palace sisters occasionally came to the manor for rest and recuperation.
Jinhua Pavilion was surrounded by mountains. The entrance was blocked by screens. Upon entering the pavilion, one could see spring water flowing from stone-carved dragon mouths, with steam rising from the water’s surface. As one approached, moist hot waves hit the face, with mist everywhere like a clouded fairyland.
The palace maids scattering flower petals all knelt down when they saw me. I waved my hand to indicate they needn’t scatter anymore – in this winter season, flower petals would be better used for flower tea. They hurriedly withdrew, leaving me a quiet place.
Song Langsheng held his sword, fully armored, leaning by the door like a guard. I found it amusing and teased: “You’re clearly using the excuse of protecting me to peek at me bathing, you lecher.”
He said: “This isn’t peeking – it’s looking openly and honestly.”
I felt my face grow slightly warm. Thinking that if it were him bathing, I would probably shamelessly watch too, I seemed to have no grounds to argue with him. I took a deep breath, turned my back, went around the screen, removed my brocade robe, and slowly stepped into the area of the pool where flower petals gathered densely, then turned back to look at the Prince Consort as if nothing had happened.
Due to the screen’s obstruction, I could only vaguely see half of Song Langsheng’s face as he leaned against the wall. Whether from shyness or being affected by the steam, even his ears had turned red – he looked absolutely adorable.
My heart was also pounding wildly. To undress completely in broad daylight before a man and slip into water – even though he was my husband, this was mortifying. My intention was to tease him, but I ended up more nervous than he was.
I pressed my forehead – it was just a bath. We were already an old married couple, so why did it feel like newlyweds on their wedding night?
The hot water gurgling in the pool was as comfortable and warm as a cradle. I must have been dizzy, otherwise how could I have blurted out: “The spring water temperature is just right today – why don’t you come down and get comfortable too?”
Only after saying this did I come to my senses, regretting so much I wanted to dive underwater. I thought Song Langsheng would take the opportunity to tease me, but instead he slowly turned his head, putting on a reluctant expression: “Since the Princess strongly requests, if I refuse again, wouldn’t I be inconsiderate of our marital affection?”
“Hehehe, actually I was just saying it casually… no need to take it serious…”
Before I could say the word “seriously,” Song Langsheng had already efficiently removed his upper garments and was walking toward me step by step, revealing his strong arms.
I covered my chest and stepped back in panic, only now regretting not having the palace maids scatter more petals – there was nowhere to hide.
Song Langsheng looked at me with a brilliant smile. Though his body’s lines were as beautiful as his face, tempting one to look away involuntarily, when even his pants slipped down, I finally couldn’t help covering my eyes and stammering: “Don’t… don’t do anything rash…”
Hearing Song Langsheng step into the water, my heart was jumping all over the place. I just wanted to back away a few more steps, but the deeper I went, the more I retreated. Careless, I slipped and fell into the water.
My vision was completely blurred. I wasn’t a good swimmer to begin with, and after this tumble I flailed several times without being able to right myself. By the time Song Langsheng reached my side and embraced my waist to pull me out of the water, those few flower petals that could barely provide modesty had long been scattered.
Song Langsheng brushed the water drops from my face and watched me cough endlessly, unable to help laughing: “Weren’t you the one who invited me in? Look how scared you are…”
Like this, we were pressed so close together, his hand resting at my waist while I hooked around his neck, touching warm skin. It felt like heat was constantly flowing from our points of contact to all my limbs. We both probably looked flushed.
I wanted to let go of him, but turning back I found a high pool wall behind me. He had one arm around me and one hand braced against the wall, framing me in his embrace.
Accompanied by the gentle breeze, our heartbeats echoed hotly in our chests.
He looked at me without saying a word, swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving as if he was trying hard to restrain something. After a moment of silence, he released me, turned to lean against the pool wall, and said slowly: “I know you haven’t recovered from these past few days yet. It’s alright, I’ll wait for you.”
Something soft in my heart was gently touched. I looked at him quietly – this person who never wanted me to suffer even the slightest grievance at any time, who always put my feelings in a more important position than his own.
He was my Prince Consort, my husband, the person I had admired since childhood.
Song Langsheng closed his eyes for a while. Seeing I had no reaction, he looked up at me again. His face was completely red, but his expression was calm: “I’m just heated up by this hot spring. You needn’t look at me like this – I have no thoughts right now.”
I asked: “Really?”
“Really.”
“Oh.” I sighed regretfully: “I actually had many thoughts, which is why I invited the Prince Consort to bathe with me. Since the flower has feelings but the flowing water is heartless…”
Song Langsheng suddenly turned around, creating quite a splash due to the large movement: “You… are you telling the truth? Then… what about earlier…”
I touched my pounding heart and turned my head away, murmuring: “Girls are always shy… Sometimes saying no actually means yes, saying don’t want actually means want… Being contrary and playing hard to get – how can one speak all one’s thoughts… You, you can’t be so unromantic…”
Before I finished speaking, he embraced me from behind, lifted his hand to turn my face toward him. His intense gaze gradually softened, unable to suppress his smile as he tilted his head to kiss me tenderly and lovingly.
From gentle and shallow to passionate and deep, warmth spread from my heart in layers, covering everything in layers. All unease dissipated, breathing was hot and scorching. Though clearly too nervous to open my eyes, I still shyly returned his kisses, gradually melting into this tender spring.
His fingers traced across the skin of my back, causing my whole body to tense and stiffen, not knowing what to do. His tongue tip gently teased my earlobe, making me press closer to him.
In my daze, that hand quietly moved downward, as if exploring more bashful and secret territories. I instinctively curled up. The hot spring’s steam made me dizzy and confused, my whole being seeming to float on water yet sink to the bottom. With great difficulty finding a chance to catch my breath, warm lips once again wound around me tenderly.
The tingling sensation transformed into gentle water merging with the warm spring water. I felt that blazing heat burn through my entire body, needing to press even closer, to make my heart even more satisfied.
Until in my daze, my waist was slowly lifted, accompanied by a moment of sharp pain, the last empty place in my heart was filled completely. Unprecedented pain and pleasure intertwined together.
The dragon head’s mouth continuously spouted fine streams, splashing on the water’s surface with tiny sounds.
And our entwined forms in the water made even louder splashing sounds.
Bright sunlight leaked through the carved windows, and everything began to sway with the rippling water patterns.
He leaned down to lick my tears. I wanted to say something but had lost even the rhythm of breathing, only able to respond with soft moans.
I don’t know how long passed until my heart itched unbearably and my consciousness was about to drift away, when everything gradually quieted.
In fact, I preferred not to recall a second time exactly how the Prince Consort carried me out of the pool, dried me off, dressed me, and brought me back to the room.
When my consciousness gradually returned, all I could do was bury myself completely under the quilt, too ashamed to face myself.
Song Langsheng sat by the bed and said quietly: “A’Tang… was it really that painful…”
I said in embarrassed anger: “Do you want me to find a stick to stab you with and try? Didn’t I tell you to go out first?”
He said sullenly: “You said women are always contrary… When you told me to withdraw, wasn’t that playing hard to get?”
I collapsed: “…Why didn’t you listen when I said to go slowly…”
He said: “…Wasn’t that meaning to go faster?”
Me: “…”
At this moment, I finally experienced firsthand what it meant to lift a rock and drop it on one’s own foot.
No, I realized at a deeper level how tragic it was to find a husband who understood nothing about romance.
Seeing me trembling in agony under the covers, Song Langsheng said: “Then… it’s my fault… I promise you, tonight I won’t be so rash again…”
Tonight…
I couldn’t stand it anymore and threw off the quilt: “What tonight! Who agreed to tonight!”
The startled Song Langsheng: “…Alright, alright, we’ll talk about whatever tomorrow…”
I picked up a pillow and threw it at him: “Tomorrow won’t work either! Once you’ve tasted the marrow, you’re clearly a hungry wolf!”
The Prince Consort’s slightly faded complexion reddened again: “Indeed I have been hungry for quite some time…”
Big brother, I mean that’s not the kind of “hungry”…
He looked at me with an unchanged expression: “But if it weren’t you, I’d rather starve to death than seek other food.”
I stared at him in a daze and asked: “Such an improper confession coming from your mouth? Truly hard to believe.”
He took my hand and placed it in his palm, smiling at the corners of his mouth: “So-called intimate whispers between spouses can only be understood between husband and wife.”
I pulled my hand away and turned my head: “Hmph.”
Song Langsheng stood up: “Fine, then I’ll go seek other food.”
I scrambled to grab his arm, saying angrily: “You, this person, coaxing girls for less than the time of one incense stick…”
Song Langsheng immediately sat back on the bed and pulled me into his embrace: “It’s fine as long as I far exceed one incense stick’s time in truly important matters…”
Me: “…”
The other pillow on the bed was also thrown at him.
We stayed at Yulong Manor until sunset, when Father Emperor in the palace finally lost patience and sent people to order us back—
Third Update
On the way back, Song Langsheng sat in the carriage frequently looking back at the manor, saying: “I originally thought this place was just an ordinary summer retreat, but now it seems it’s also a good place for quiet cultivation.”
“…” Quiet cultivation?
I pillowed my head on his lap, watching the carriage roof sway: “I’ve been wanting to ask you since this morning – you originally said you had a way to convince the Crown Prince. This time it was Father Emperor awakening that revealed the truth. If Father Emperor had remained unconscious, what would you have intended to do?”
Song Langsheng said: “Anyway… there was a way…”
I sat up straight and frowned: “So what was it? Tell me.”
His voice drifted to my ears: “Naturally it wasn’t any pleasant method. Everything’s past now – why think back on such things?”
I pondered this and found it quite reasonable, so I stopped asking. I only sighed: “I just hope that after this ordeal, Brother Crown Prince can be more open-minded and not target you anymore because you’re Prince Rui’s son.”
“His Majesty has spoken with golden words, all civil and military officials are convinced. The Crown Prince understands the greater good and won’t make things difficult for me anymore.”
“That’s because he’s still just the Crown Prince,” I waved my hand. “Forget it, let’s not mention these depressing things. At worst we’ll fly far away and live our own good life. As for the nation and people, we won’t worry about such things anymore.”
He curved his lips slightly, smiled, and lifted my chin: “Exactly right.”
These words were originally just said for relief, since neither the Prince Consort nor I were the type who could hide away like hermits while seeing war and chaos. Though Feng Li was eliminated, there was still the more powerful Nie Guang. Now learning that Nie Ran was actually the legitimate heir of the former dynasty, after Song Langsheng returned to court, all the former dynasty’s remnants would likely gather at the Nie family.
The real war was about to begin.
Before entering the palace, I repeatedly told myself not to cry and wail when seeing Father Emperor – I should let him rest peacefully and recover slowly. But as soon as I stepped into Father Emperor’s bedchamber and saw his sunken eyes as he sat on the dragon bed, all my suppressed emotions collapsed. Tears filled my eyes as I knelt: “Your subject… pays respects to Father Emperor…”
Father Emperor beckoned to me: “Xiangyi… come let me see you.”
I wiped away tears with my sleeve and moved to Father Emperor’s bedside. He reached out to gently stroke my hair: “You’ve grown thin…”
Seeing this made my heart warm again, and I choked up: “Now that Father Emperor has awakened, Xiangyi will quickly grow fat again…”
Father Emperor was amused and smiled. Time had mercilessly carved deep wrinkles on his face, but when he smiled he still had some grace: “All this time, you’ve suffered…”
The attendants in the room all tactfully withdrew.
Father and daughter had a long, long heart-to-heart talk.
Mostly I spoke while Father Emperor listened – court affairs, state matters, family matters, and trivial romantic feelings. Eventually I felt like I’d returned to childhood, still me talking endlessly while Father Emperor listened patiently.
Father Emperor said he’d been awake for several days. When I asked why he didn’t summon me to see him, he said that when he awakened, Eunuch Cheng had come to visit on the Crown Prince’s orders. Several imperial physicians were also present, and they all felt Eunuch Cheng looked strange. Upon investigation they discovered he’d been poisoned.
Eunuch Cheng was an inner palace supervisor personally cultivated by Father Emperor. If even he had unknowingly been poisoned with strange toxins, it made Father Emperor suspect something was wrong in the Eastern Palace. So Father Emperor ordered everyone present to absolutely not tell anyone of his awakening, while he took the opportunity to have people follow the trail.
I understood: “So Father Emperor discovered the truth even earlier than Xiangyi, and afterward the Crown Prince also cooperated in turning the tables?”
Father Emperor nodded slightly: “I truly didn’t expect their real intention was to trap you. If not for that, I never would have let you risk danger…”
I said: “Everything has two sides. If I hadn’t entered the tiger’s den, Feng Li and Nie Guang wouldn’t have been careless and exposed all their forces and troops in the capital… Being able to sweep away this greatest hidden threat means that even if war breaks out later, we’ll save considerable military strength.” I naturally didn’t mention that I nearly got… otherwise Father Emperor would be furious.
Father Emperor smiled faintly: “Being safe is most precious. Leave court matters to the Crown Prince – don’t worry yourself too much. I heard you and the Prince Consort had a falling out before, even blowing up the mansion I granted you?”
“That, that was because the Crown Prince and I fell for Feng Li’s scheme…” I glanced elsewhere, but this reminder brought up another question: “Father Emperor, having the Prince Consort maneuver alone in the enemy camp was one thing, but Brother knew nothing. If you hadn’t awakened in time, the Crown Prince might have treated the Prince Consort as a rebel.”
Father Emperor pondered: “The Crown Prince is gentle by nature and indecisive in handling matters. If he knew the truth, he’d certainly show mercy everywhere, letting people see through it. As for the Prince Consort… I had already given him an imperial edict beforehand. If the Crown Prince really moved against him, this edict could keep him safe.”
I was surprised: “Then why didn’t he tell me? Made me worry for nothing.”
Father Emperor frowned slightly and said lightly: “Perhaps the Prince Consort had his own thoughts… Everything’s past now, no need to get to the bottom of it…”
These words sounded very familiar. When did my husband become so consistent and coordinated with Father Emperor?
I hung my head, puzzled, seeing Father Emperor truly looked tired. I didn’t dare stay long, reluctantly gave a few instructions, paid my respects, and slowly withdrew.
Upon leaving the bedchamber, I saw imperial physicians standing in a proper line. I went forward to ask about Father Emperor’s condition. They exchanged glances and said: “His Majesty’s awakening is already heaven’s great blessing. We subjects will naturally do our utmost.”
As soon as they finished speaking, the attendant eunuchs inside summoned the physicians. Before I could ask more, they hurried in.
While I stood in a daze, an Eastern Palace eunuch came on the Crown Prince’s orders to summon me. Having nothing else to do, I followed him. Unexpectedly, upon entering the study I found Song Langsheng there too. He and Jingyan were solemnly staring at a wooden box on the table.
Not understanding, I asked: “What’s wrong?”
Seeing me arrive, Jingyan tapped the table lightly with his knuckles: “Imperial Sister, big trouble – the former dynasty military talismans you brought back from the underground chamber at Wanfen Ridge are fake.”
I was slightly shocked: “How is that possible?”
Song Langsheng picked up a piece of the talisman: “Former dynasty military talismans were fish-shaped, with ruler and general each holding half. Combined they become one and can command ten thousand troops. At first glance these talismans seem fine, but I saw my father handle such talismans in my youth. The characters carved in the base seams are different from these – someone must have forged them.”
I picked it up to examine carefully, knowing his words were true: “But I truly took these from Prince Rui’s secret place. How could they be fake?”
Song Langsheng said: “These talisman carvings are still new, not like they’d been sealed away for years. Most likely someone switched them later.”
I looked at Jingyan, who shook his head: “From when Imperial Sister brought them to the palace, I’ve looked at these talismans hundreds and thousands of times. They’re the exact same ones before me. Moreover, this matter is extremely important – I immediately hid them in an extremely secret place. No one could have had any opportunity…”
I was greatly puzzled when Song Langsheng suddenly asked me: “After the Princess emerged from the tunnel, did these talismans pass through anyone else’s hands?”
Anyone else’s hands?
At that time I was being pursued by Feng Li. Reaching the cliff edge, I jumped to save myself, then…
“It was Nie Ran!” I finally came to my senses: “At that time I was wounded all over by tree branches and nearly fainted. Later Nie Ran appeared and saved me, but then I had no time to worry about any talismans. When I regained consciousness, Nie Ran returned the talismans to me…”
Jingyan slammed the table: “Truly a treacherous villain! He had clearly already switched the real talismans but still pretended and fooled everyone!”
Song Langsheng said slowly: “Nie Guang left Nie Ran in the capital to make us lower our guard, using Feng Li to create chaos in the capital so we couldn’t attend to him. They probably long ago used those talismans to secretly contact princes loyal to the old dynasty, gathering more troops and preparing…”
Jingyan said with a dark face: “Most unexpectedly, that Nie Ran is actually the former emperor’s heir. Nie Guang hid his identity for so many years, using the Prince Consort and Imperial Sister to obtain Prince Rui’s military power. He’ll surely legitimize Nie Ran afterward, raising troops publicly under the banner of restoring the country… Ha, he’s truly a good minister of the former dynasty!”
Song Langsheng said: “The urgent matter now is to increase forces searching for Nie Ran. He’s poisoned with bone-softening powder and shouldn’t be able to run far. If we can capture him in time, when Nie Guang wants to do this, he’ll have no legitimate reason. Even with those former dynasty talismans, he may not be able to command the various factions.”
Jingyan nodded repeatedly, rising to discuss troop deployment strategies with Song Langsheng. I tilted my head to look at the talismans in the brocade box, thinking of how Nie Ran gave me the antidote to save me, and how he should have fled overnight but stayed at Prince Yu’s mansion until dawn to protect me. If he were truly captured, Father Emperor and the Crown Prince would certainly make an example of him to deter others. At that time, could I really be heartless?
“A’Tang…” Song Langsheng patted my shoulder: “What are you thinking? You’ve been distracted…”
I came back to my senses, only then realizing we had already walked out of the Eastern Palace. Though there was no snow tonight, it was still freezing cold: “…Just thinking about what Father Emperor told me…”
Song Langsheng adjusted my robe and took my hand: “The Crown Prince still hopes I can personally lead troops to pursue Nie Ran. After all, I’ve been at Nie Guang’s side for so long and am more familiar with the usual routes of the Nie family guards.”
I nodded and smiled: “You’re leaving now? Didn’t you say you’d stay by my side constantly?”
“So I wanted to ask if you’d like to come with me?” Song Langsheng looked at me, seeing my difficulty: “I was thoughtless – you probably wouldn’t want to see him… A’Tang, anyway the Princess’s mansion isn’t repaired yet. You stay in the palace and keep His Majesty company well. I’ll try to return within ten days to be with you…”
His eyes held laughter, drawing one’s gaze. I couldn’t help hugging him and burying my face in his chest: “You still remember…”
He gently stroked my head: “How could I forget our wedding day?”
My nose tinged with sourness as I held him tighter, only to hear him say: “That year when you forcibly abducted me to your mansion, on our wedding day I told myself not to forget today’s humiliation…”
Me: “…”
Seeing my glaring eyes, he leaned down to my ear and whispered: “Fortunately today at Yulong Manor I’ve already avenged that humiliation…”
I used force with my hand, pinching his waist.
He twitched at the corner of his mouth: “In a few days when I return, I’ll avenge it again. Princess, remember to wait for me.”
“…You can go now, I won’t see you off…”
In the following days, as he said, I obediently stayed in the palace, accompanying Father Emperor, visiting Mother Empress, seeing Jiayi, taking walks – passing time peacefully and quietly.
Father Emperor’s health improved somewhat and he could attend court to discuss politics, but more often he let Jingyan handle government affairs, placing various great powers in Jingyan’s hands. Any civil or military official who wasn’t blind could see he intended to abdicate.
After the Heaven Worship Ceremony, Jingyan’s conduct increasingly showed imperial bearing. Combined with Inner Cabinet Chief Minister Zhao and Second Minister Li’s full support, his future throne was solid as a rock.
Though what made me slightly uneasy was that his health grew weaker due to heavy governmental duties. Except when attending court, he kept a warming brazier by his side, daily sustained by medicinal soups, coughing endlessly in the deep, dew-heavy nights. The imperial physicians all said the Crown Prince was weak and should rest more, absolutely not overwork himself.
I thought Father Emperor’s face always showed concern – if the Crown Prince collapsed from exhaustion, that would truly be worrying for the future.
This was why Father Emperor began considering the Crown Prince taking a consort – the imperial family needed heirs quickly.
Originally Jingyan had a woman he favored, but because her family background was humble – just a sixth-rank prefect’s daughter – she was made a consort. These past two years she bore no children, leaving the Crown Princess position undecided.
Chief Minister Zhao’s daughter Zhao Yanran was naturally an ideal candidate. Father Emperor was quite pleased hearing that Zhao Gengnian had previously agreed to this marriage. Who knew Zhao Gengnian rushed to the palace tearfully pleading that his daughter had been kidnapped by the rebel Nie Ran, begging His Majesty and the Crown Prince to send troops to rescue her.
Zhao Yanran was abducted by Nie Ran?
I found it quite absurd, but seeing Chief Minister Zhao so anxious and pained, it didn’t seem false.
Father Emperor comforted Zhao Gengnian, saying the Crown Prince had already sent troops in pursuit, and if they truly found his daughter they would certainly bring her back safely.
I rubbed my temples on the side, thinking that even if they found his daughter, they might not necessarily bring her back.
Sure enough, after court, Zhao Gengnian came to my Changle Palace, saying he had important matters to discuss with me.
I dismissed everyone, and before I could ask anything, Zhao Gengnian knelt down, trembling as he said: “This old minister begs the Princess to save my daughter’s life…”
I quickly helped him up: “Minister Zhao, why do you say this? Since I consider Yanran a friend, I will naturally save her…” Seeing Zhao Gengnian shake his head and sigh bitterly, I asked: “Is it that Nie Ran didn’t abduct Yanran, but rather Yanran went with him herself?”
“When the Princess spoke with this old minister that day, it made me think deeply. Finally I told my daughter that if she was unwilling to marry the Crown Prince, this old minister wouldn’t force her. As long as this old minister remained loyal to His Majesty and the Crown Prince, the Zhao family wouldn’t be implicated…” Zhao Gengnian lowered his eyes: “My daughter was naturally overjoyed to hear this. Who knew that within days news came of hunting and pursuing Nie Ran. That very night she left a note and departed, saying she wanted to confirm Nie Ran’s safety before returning…”
I sighed lightly: “Yanran, ah Yanran, she’s so intelligent. I used the Crown Prince’s marriage as leverage and promised to spare Nie Ran’s life. Now that Nie Ran has escaped the capital, she figured I might not keep my word anymore, so she personally went. If she could reach Nie Ran’s side, she’d be an excellent hostage. Even if pursuing troops caught up, for the sake of the Zhao mansion’s daughter they wouldn’t dare be ruthless. She didn’t go to confirm Nie Ran’s safety – she went to protect Nie Ran’s safety…”
Zhao Gengnian was about to speak when I said: “From my understanding of Nie Ran, he won’t harm your daughter. If Yanran wants to leave she can return anytime, but her heart is there. I’m afraid I’m powerless too…”
After a long silence, Zhao Gengnian finally said: “Precisely because of this, this old minister came to beg the Princess for help… Only you, Princess, can bring back my daughter…”
“This…”
“Princess,” Zhao Gengnian stepped back and knelt again: “This old minister only has this one daughter. If something happens to her, I…”
I ultimately agreed to Chief Minister Zhao’s request.
He was truly calculating and scheming, knowing about the past entanglements between Nie Ran and me. As long as I could make Nie Ran say some heartless, cruel words to Zhao Yanran, she would naturally give up and leave.
But this would mean I’d have to face Nie Ran once again.
Three days after I left the capital, news came from Qing Province that Song Langsheng had captured the rebel Nie Ran and was holding him in prison.
I was not far from Qing Province. After traveling through the night, I finally arrived at the location.