Chapter 069

Chapter 069

His question was rather peculiar.

When had she ever considered Yi Jian one of her own?

Chu Yin was about to retort, but the words “Provincial Governor” flashed in her mind, and she stiffened.

Maybe, thinking that Lu Jingzhuo liked her and their closeness, she forgot he was the Emperor – no emperor liked a woman meddling in politics. His question about a reward was casual, yet she had suggested a high official post.

In her previous life, Yi Jian was promoted by Lu Jingzhuo, not her recommendation.

Chu Yin, regretting her lack of caution, apologized, “I overstepped just now, Your Majesty. Please forgive me... As for Yi Langzhong, Your Majesty will have the best judgment. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn.”

Although he was displeased, seeing Chu Yin suddenly so cautious and formal, his displeasure turned to a different kind of frustration.

“I’m not blaming you, but sometimes you indeed go too far.”

She had shown too much concern for Yi Jian, praising him excessively.

Chu Yin pursed her lips, uncertain where to place her hands.

Surely this wasn’t the time to continue, was it?

Unfazed, he covered himself with his robe: "Speak first."

Chu Yin: "..."

Interrupted like this, could he really continue?

After mentally grumbling, she spoke earnestly, "If Your Majesty finds me inappropriate, I shall correct myself... However, I would appreciate specific guidance. If it’s about the suggestion of promotions, I will not repeat it."

Of course, it wasn’t just about the promotions.

"I want you to forget that you recommended him. Yi Jian is a court-appointed official with talent. Even without you, he would have become a Langzhong," he stared at her, his eyes piercingly sharp, "Your excessive trust and expectation in him are inappropriate for an empress."

Chu Yin's heart skipped a beat.

Remembering her initial recommendation of Yi Jian, she had been confident in his ability to tackle the locust plague, having seen his capabilities and believed in him. Later, in those counties, she had supported Yi Jian unconditionally…

Lu Jingzhao must have noticed.

He probably had been dissatisfied with it for quite some time.

Suddenly, she remembered a night in Nanyang County when, reading the booklets sent by Yi Jian, she had praised him, and Lu Jingzhao forbade her to speak.

At the time, she thought Lu Jingzhao disliked distractions, assuming she had interrupted him...

But today, she saw it wasn’t the case.

He was bothered by her attitude towards Yi Jian...

A thought flashed through her mind, and she looked incredulously at the stern-faced man.

Could it really be?

Chu Yin lowered her gaze, "Your Majesty should have reminded me earlier."

In truth, it wasn’t a major issue, but he hadn’t expected to reach a point of intolerance, especially when he heard her mention "the Governor of the Cloth Administration."

But he wouldn't suspect Chu Yin of harboring romantic feelings for Yi Jian. He felt it was a deep admiration, different from the usual, but as his wife, he couldn’t tolerate her having such feelings for Yi Jian.

"It's not too late to remind you now," he said, looking deeply into her eyes, "I believe you understand what I mean."

Recommending Yi Jian was for the good of Dayue, for the people.

Since the matter was settled, Chu Yin didn’t want to cause discord with Lu Jingzhao: "Yes, I understand." She resolved not to mention Yi Jian again.

Seeing her agreement, he felt relieved and leaned down to kiss her.

Her lips were soft, but her body slightly stiff.

He paused, lifting her chin, "You're not angry, are you?"

She wasn’t exactly angry, but her mood wasn’t great either, having been reprimanded.

"Could I ever be angry with Your Majesty?" she asked softly.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t been upset before.

Hadn’t she dared to remind him to be cautious at that time?

He caressed her soft cheek with his fingertip: "If it's my fault, you can be."

The empress' position, though seemingly noble and dignified, is no different from any married woman once stripped of its grandeur, reliant on her husband, and perhaps even less so. Ordinary women, backed by their families, have some confidence in front of their husbands. But what about an empress? Unless the emperor is a puppet, no matter how prominent her family, her fortunes hang on the emperor's whims.

Her confidence actually stemmed from his affection and support.

If that were ever lost, she would have nothing.

Playfully acting coquettish or showing a bit of temperament with him was just for fun, but could she truly be angry with him?

Chu Yin’s lips pouted slightly: "I wouldn't dare."

Her words said she wouldn’t dare, but wasn’t she already upset?

But since it was Lu Jingzhao’s possessiveness that had coerced Chu Yin into agreeing, he felt a bit guilty. He tenderly kissed her neck and caressed her leg, whispering softly, "Today, only I will serve you; you needn’t lift a finger."

Her face flushed instantly: "I don't want that."

How did the conversation turn to this? She didn't have as many desires as he did.

Her initial resistance was overwhelmed by the trembling of her body under his distinct, slender, and pale fingers, losing strength and melting into a pliable state.

After September, winter would arrive.

He Zhong returned to the capital to report that the imperial mausoleum construction was complete.

The next day, Lu Jingzhao set off for Jingshan with Lu Jingchen, Lu Jingrui, Princess Baocheng, and various civil and military officials to relocate the late emperor to the new tomb for burial.

The grand procession stretched endlessly, accompanied by unceasing wails.

He didn't return until evening.

Chu Yin’s body felt increasingly heavy these days, often weary, needing multiple rests throughout the day.

Her face had naturally grown rounder, and Lu Jingzhao, sitting beside her, thought she resembled her childhood self.

After an indefinite time, she finally awoke.

Opening her eyes, she met his moonlight-clear gaze and hurriedly sat up: "I was planning to wait for Your Majesty, but I fell asleep unknowingly..."

"It's alright."

"Did everything go smoothly?" she asked.

"Yes," Lu Jingzhao stroked her slightly disheveled hair, "He Zhong is thorough in his work, though assigning him to oversee the mausoleum construction is underutilizing his abilities."

The deceased father-in-law was already buried, so why build a mausoleum?

She initially wondered, but then understood.

It was customary for emperors to personally select a site for their mausoleum and command its construction, with some meticulous emperors taking about ten years to complete it.

In her previous life, she was buried in his mausoleum after her death, and they were later interred together upon his demise.

Such posthumous matters were not typically thoughts for someone her age, but having already experienced death once, these thoughts surfaced easily in her mind.

Filled with a touch of sadness, she leaned into his embrace, silent for a moment.

Lu Jingzhao's hand rested on her abdomen.

The child inside her was growing larger, now active and moving.

With only three months to go until birth, they still didn’t know the baby's gender.

Probably a little mischievous...

Last night, he noticed Chu Yin getting up three times.

Suddenly, Chu Yin asked him, “Has Your Majesty thought of a name for the baby?”

“Not yet.”

Chu Yin frowned, “The baby will be born after the New Year.”

“Why the rush? So small, the baby won't understand its name yet.”

Chu Yin: "..."

Unexpectedly that night, not only did Chu Yin get up frequently, but her leg also cramped suddenly.

Lu Jingzhao couldn’t pretend to sleep any longer and hurried to massage her leg.

His brows furrowed tightly, lips pressed into a thin line, his face grimacing. Chu Yin, thinking she woke him, hurriedly said, “I didn’t know this would happen tonight, otherwise... I would have suggested sleeping separately.”

Lu Jingzhao’s frown deepened, his fingers pressing harder: “Say that again?”

She cried out in pain.

“Will you say it again?”

She shook her head repeatedly.

“But... I might often get cramps later…”

He gave her a cold look, “Even if you cramp ten times a night, I won’t sleep separately from you.”

If she, a woman, could endure it, couldn’t he?

Ridiculous!

Chu Yin: "..."

Still, it did affect him somewhat, so Lu Jingzhao would take an extra rest at noon to ensure his focus for the afternoon.

Concerned about Chu Yin enduring so much, he summoned Liu Yianpan to inquire about her condition.

"Your Majesty, all these symptoms are normal for any pregnant woman," Liu Yianpan reassured.

"What about the last three months? Are there other symptoms?"

"There might be aches and pains in the joints, pelvic pain, and swelling in various places..."

Lu Jingzhao's expression grew graver with each word.

"And during childbirth?" he asked gravely.

Liu Yianpan hesitated: "Her Highness has already given birth to twins smoothly, so it should be fine."

"Should be? You don't sound very certain."

Liu Yianpan began to sweat: "It depends on the circumstances at the time."

Lu Jingzhao suddenly felt agitated: "You may leave."

Liu Yianpan, not daring to linger, hurriedly exited.

Lu Jingzhao stood up and paced to the window.

The sky was a dull gray, with leaden clouds floating like a giant blanket overhead.

It might rain, or perhaps snow.

"Inform the Chu family to have Lady Chu and the young lady visit the palace in two days."

Dong Ling acknowledged the order.

Excited and nervous about meeting the Empress, her sister-in-law Dou Jinfang asked Chu Ge, "What kind of temperament does Her Majesty have? Will she like me? What gift should I bring?"

"Aiyin is very easy-going, you needn't worry," Chu Ge replied softly with a smile, "As for the gift, how about the Spring Branch painting you recently completed?"

Dou Jinfang relaxed a bit: "Alright."

After a light snowfall, the next day was clear, and the golden plums in the courtyard bloomed.

Chu Yin, reading a book of poetry, grew sleepy after a few pages. Just as she was about to nap, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that her mother and sister-in-law had arrived.

"How did this happen... Did His Majesty arrange for them to come?"

Donger smiled, "Certainly, Her Majesty. It must have been His Majesty's order that allowed Lady Chu and the young lady to enter the palace."

"Quickly, invite them into the hall."

Lady Chu and her daughter-in-law hastened in.

Facing her daughter, now the Empress, Lady Chu didn’t presume informality and, pulling Dou Jinfang along, they both performed a formal bow.

Chu Yin, slow in her movements, couldn’t stop them in time and reluctantly accepted it. She then bowed to her mother, playfully scolding, "You really shouldn’t trouble yourself so much!"

"It's only proper, even I must observe protocol," Lady Chu said with a smile, presenting her gift, "I’ve made some small clothes and shoes, not sure if they’ll fit. If you don’t like them, just set them aside," then turning to her daughter-in-law, "Jinfang, where's the painting you brought?"

Dou Jinfang presented the painting with both hands, smiling, "I've heard from my husband about Your Majesty's exceptional painting skills. I'm afraid mine might seem quite humble."

The bamboo in the painting was slender and elegant, just like her. Chu Yin thought, no wonder her brother chose her, a perfect match indeed.

"I'm not very good at painting bamboo. Maybe you could teach me later, sister-in-law."

The sweetly uttered "sister-in-law" melted Dou Jinfang's heart, and she readily agreed.

Lu Jingzhao did not appear until late in the evening.

Chu Yin had wanted to greet him with a kiss, but her enlarged belly made it impossible for her to reach his lips.

Both of them froze for a moment.

Then, Lu Jingzhao chuckled and moved to her side, bending down.

She leaned in and kissed him: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I should have thought of it earlier," he said, helping her to sit, "Even though you haven't been officially conferred yet, you can summon your mother-in-law whenever you wish, without asking me."

After the official conferment, it would be more proper.

She clung to his arm: "Why has Your Majesty suddenly become so kind to me?"

"Was I not good to you before?" he mused, believing he had always been quite considerate.

"You were, but now you're even better."

He held her still slender wrist: "I feel you’ve been through a lot, and I want to take care of you."

A heartfelt confession.

She smiled softly: "Actually, it's not too bad. Carrying Zhu'er and Zhen'er was even more exhausting."

Lu Jingzhao was at a loss for words, only gripping her hand tighter.

He suddenly dreamed that night.

Chu Yin was about to give birth, and he waited outside the palace hall.

Palace maids holding basins of water, others carrying stacks of towels, the royal physicians, and the attendants were bustling in and out, but it was eerily silent. He asked what was happening inside, but no one answered.

Looking more closely, he realized the palace doors were tightly shut, and everyone had vanished, leaving him alone outside.

He knocked on the door forcefully, calling out, "Ah Yin, Ah Yin."

But she didn't respond.

The palace doors wouldn't budge, as firm as if they were made of solid iron, no matter what he tried.

In despair, he saw blood winding its way from under the door...

At that moment, his heart felt as if it had shattered.

"Your Majesty!" A woman's voice reached his ears.

He opened his eyes to see Chu Yin sitting beside him.

Her long, black hair was loose, and her eyes were full of concern.

"Did Your Majesty have a nightmare?" she asked.

It was indeed a nightmare...

Yet it felt so real.

He could still feel an intense pain in his chest, as if stabbed by a sharp dagger.

Calming his emotions, he asked, "Did I wake you?"

"No need, I was just about to get up anyway..."

Lu Jingzhao fell silent for a moment, then said, "I'll help you."

"No, that's alright," Chu Yin hurriedly declined, "you should continue to sleep. I'll ask Rendong..."

He had already taken hold of her arm.

"I'll help you."

His attitude was so firm that Chu Yin found it hard to refuse.

Her current condition made it difficult to be carried, so he supported her as they walked slowly.

In the night, their footsteps intertwined.

He lowered his head to gently inhale the fragrance from her hair, soothing the pain he had felt in his dream, dispelling the loss.

When they reached the entrance of the chamber, Chu Yin stopped, hesitating.

Lu Jingzhao understood and turned away, saying, "I won't look, alright?"

He couldn't understand what there was that couldn't be seen!